Maryland: Police say Jeffrey Mayhle, 45, released aggressive pit bull during domestic assault on victim

MARYLAND -- A domestic assault in Parsonsburg turned into a dog fight after deputies say a suspect took the muzzle off an aggressive pit bull.

Drinking was involved, according to Wicomico deputies.

Jeffrey Andrew Mayhle, 45, was accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend, who he'd been living with for five years in the early hours of Aug. 27, according to charging papers. The deputy responding to the home in the 32000 block of Grant Street gave them information on filing a restraining order after finding no evidence that Mayhle tried to strangle the victim or that the victim had hit Mayhle with a curtain rod, charging papers show.

Mayhle admitted to a deputy he had a few beers, while the victim owned up to taking a couple shots of liquor, deputies said.

The deputy returned to the home a few hours later after receiving reports that a pit bull had attacked another dog and the victim's hand had been "crushed" by Mayhle, according to charging papers. 

Mayhle told the deputy there was no domestic dispute — the commotion was because the dogs had attacked one another. However, further investigation revealed that Mayhle had taken the muzzle off the pit bull, knowing it would attack the other dog, deputies said.

The attacked dog had to be treated at a veterinary hospital, according to a sheriff's office news release.

The deputy also saw the victim's hand had been injured, charging papers noted.

Mayhle was charged in Wicomico County District Court with second-degree assault — a felony punishable with up to 10 years in prison — and misdemeanor animal cruelty, which carries with it up to 90 days in jail. He is currently free on $20,000 bond.

(Delmarva Now - Sept 2, 2016)