Springfield man charged with animal cruelty, attempted murder after attacking roommate and roommate's dog

MASSACHUSETTS -- A Springfield man is facing several charges after an incident where police said he beat a dog belonging to his roommate while he was intoxicated on Valentine's Day.

According to Sgt. John Delaney, executive aide to Police Commissioner William Fitchet, officers Melissa Rodriguez and Felix Perez were dispatched to a Keith Street home in the city's Forest Park neighborhood around 11:50 p.m. Friday to investigate a domestic disturbance.

A man at the home told police that his roommate, 30-year-old Robert Brown, got drunk and for an unexplained reason went upstairs and began beating the man's dog.

"(Brown) went upstairs to the bedroom and began punching the victims dog in the face and body," Delaney said in a press release. "The male victim could hear his dog getting beaten and ran upstairs to stop the attack on his pet."

Delaney said that the dog's owner tried to stop Brown, at which point Brown allegedly began choking him. The dog's owner, however, was able to break free once he bit Brown.

Police said Brown ran down the street but was caught and arrested. He is facing charges including attempted murder, assault an battery, animal cruelty, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He was held awaiting arraignment Tuesday morning in Springfield District Court.
(MassLive - Feb 15, 2014)