Animal cruelty charges have been filed against a man after he is alleged to have thrown a small dog into a fire pit.

On Friday, April 14, at approximately 10:00 pm, Corporal Ian Baker was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of Duke Street regarding a report of Animal Cruelty.

On arrival, Cpl Baker met with the caller/homeowner who explained that she was in her backyard with her husband and his adult cousin.  They were visiting while sitting around a fire pit and drinking beer.  At one point, the caller went inside the residence and, just prior to returning, she observed the cousin grab her Chihuahua dog with both hands and throw the dog into the fire pit.  This was unprovoked and done with no explanation.  The caller and her husband scrambled to the fire and helped the dog get away from the flames.

Several areas of the dog’s underbelly were singed, and the dog’s paws/pads sustained injury from walking in the flame.  While caring for the dog, the caller began arguing with the cousin, Raul Guadalupe Castillo, 49, who walked from the residence in an unknown direction.  Officers were unable to locate him Friday evening.

A report was generated, and Criminal Investigations continued with the investigation on Monday, April 17. Detective Peyton Donahoo was able to secure a warrant for Castillo’s arrest.  At 9:30 pm Castillo was arrested at his home.

Castillo was booked into the Brown County Jail on a charge of Cruelty to a Non-Livestock Animal Causing Serious Bodily Injury.

The charge carries a $10,000 bond.  Castillo was still in jail as of 9:15 am Tuesday morning.

(those arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law)