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New Castle man charged with killing puppy, assaulting owner
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New Castle police arrested a man Friday who they say choked his girlfriend and killed her 8-week-old puppy after he was forced to care for the dog longer than he wished.
Leroy Graham, 54, of New Castle, was charged on Wednesday with cruelty to animals, simple assault and harassment.
Rhonda Woodruff, 32, told police that she asked Mr. Graham to baby-sit her young puppy while she took a friend to the store just after midnight July 11. According to the criminal complaint, when she returned, Mr. Graham began arguing with her. He was upset that Ms. Woodruff had taken longer than expected at the store, police said.
The complaint states that while Ms. Woodruff was still in her car, Mr. Graham reached through the car window and choked her. Mr. Graham then went back to his residence and returned with the puppy, which he slammed against the vehicle, police said.
The puppy died the following morning, according to the complaint.
Police reviewed a surveillance video of the incident provided by the Lawrence County Housing Authority, which runs the housing project where the incident took place.
Mr. Graham is on probation for sex offenses. He was the victim of a shooting May 13.
First Published July 27, 2012 11:29 am
