A northeast Washington man was charged with one count of felony animal cruelty for allegedly beating a Yorkshire terrier to death.
Ishmaaiyl Mulheron, 23, was arrested after the Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Department received a report of a dead dog in an apartment Feb. 2.
According to officers, when they arrived to the 1400 block of Montana Avenue northeast, they found the body of a 6-year-old Yorkshire terrier.
A necropsy report confirmed the dog died of massive internal bleeding as a result of blunt trauma. He suffered multiple hemorrhages on the head, chest and internal organs.
Mulheron, the roommate of the owner of the dog, was reportedly the only person in the apartment when the dog was apparently beaten to death.
“This helpless dog suffered a horrific death,” Washington Humane Society Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Programs Officer Scott Giacoppo said. "This extreme and violent act of animal cruelty is appalling, and the person responsible must pay for the abuse that ultimately cost an innocent animal his life."
The defendant’s hearing is scheduled for May 3. He faces up to five years in jail and a $25,000 fine.
