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Patrick O'Connor, 24, of Chesterfield Township in Macomb County, faces animal torture charges for allegedly stabbing a pitbull-mix dog nine times -- once in the lungs -- apparently because it had defecated in his apartment, police said.
A press release by the Chesterfield Township Police said that on Feb. 1 police began investigating a report from the “Advanced Animal Emergency”on Gratiot in Clinton Township from a veterinarian, who said that a pit-bull mix dog had been brought in by a Chesterfield woman and that the dog was suffering from nine apparent stab wounds to the body, one of which punctured the dogs lung and required surgery.
Police said the woman stated that her ex-boyfriend had stabbed the dog. However, she declined to give his name for fear of retaliation. The press release said police focused on O'Connor, but were initially unable to contact him.
Fast forward to February 10 at 3:30 a.m.
Chesterfield Township officers responded to a domestic violence call at the Georgetown Apartments in the 28100 block of 23 Mile Road in Chesterfield Township where O'Connor was arrested for assaulting a 29-year-old female acquaintance.
While he was being held at the Chesterfield Police Department, detectives questioned him about the injured dog. O'Connor told investigators he had an alcohol and anger management problem and that “I did what I did”, police said.
Patrick Edward O'Connor (police photo)
Investigators said he was upset that the dog had had defecated on the floor in his apartment.
The Macomb County Prosecutors Office has charged him with domestic violence, which carries a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail, and animals-torturing/killing, which carries a maximum penalty of four years.
He was arraigned earlier this week. A $20,000 bond was set and he remains behind bars, police said.
