A Houston man faces domestic assault and animal abuse charges following a May 15 investigation by the Houston Police Department.
Sheldon J. Starr, 20, is charged with third-degree assault, a class E felony; and animal abuse, a class A misdemeanor.
Officers were called after a report was received that a woman had been assaulted by a male. According to a report, the dispute was over a chihuahua that had bit Starr and defecated.
Police said Starr allegedly grabbed the victim by the throat and threatened to kill the dog. The woman’s telephone was thrown against a wall and it shattered, according to a report.
Police said the dog had a laceration on its ear from a previous encounter with the suspect. The woman had irritation of the skin around her neck, minor bruising and skin irritation on her right forearm, and a laceration and bruising on her left ankle.
Bond is set at $3,000 cash only.
