Welland man arrested after strangling and punching his dog, then hitting officers, police say

Warning: this story includes disturbing details.

A man wasarrested in Welland, Ont. after strangling and hitting his dog, then hitting police officers.

The Niagara Region Police Service (NRPS) said in a news release they responded to an "animal complaint call" on Sept. 30.

In the release posted on Thursday, police said the man, 33, had his Shih Tzu dog on a leash "and was holding the dog up by the leash strangling it."

He then "smashed the dog into the railing of his front porch six times," andhit himwith a long stick.

"The male also punched the dog multiple times," police said in the release.

NRPSconstableJesseVujasic told CBC Hamilton in an email, the Shih Tzusuffered life-threatening injuries. "However, with proper care is able to make a complete recovery."

Tammy Gaboury, animal care manager at the Niagara SPCAand Humane Society told CBC Hamilton on Wednesday in situations like this one, where a pet has been abused,Provincial Animal Welfare Services are the ones to take the pet and have their vets treat it.

The man was charged with causingunnecessary pain to an animal and two counts of resisting arrest after a confrontation with police.

According to the release, when police asked the man to hand over the Shih Tzu, he refused, "causing a struggle" between him and an officer. The dog was eventually taken by police.

"When the male suspect was informed he was under arrest, the suspect resisted and struck the officers multiple times in the head and face. Officers eventually gained control of the suspect and the male was placed under arrest," read the release.

In cases where pet-owners are arrested for offences unrelated to the pet,Gabourysaid the SPCAcan come in and take care of it. Depending on each case, theywait for next of kin to claim the pet and if no one does, the SPCA then looks into putting the pet up for adoption.

Sheencourages people who want to help and gain a new family member to visit the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society.

"Wehave lots of pets," she said.