SLIDELL, La. — A man faces animal cruelty charges after police say he was recorded on a doorbell camera choking his estranged girlfriend's dog.
The Slidell Police Department says 30-year-old Shane Michael Mitchell stole the dog named Rubyjean and choked her after arguing with the woman on Sunday. Video of the incident went viral on social media, and detectives immediately opened an investigation and secured a warrant for Mitchell's arrest.
Undercover investigators were able to track down Mitchell to an apartment complex off Oak Harbor Boulevard and he was taken into custody without incident. Mitchell was jailed on animal cruelty charges and the dog was returned to its owner.
Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal says he was sick to his stomach watching the video and declared Rubyjean to be "as sweet and well-mannered as could be." He says he's glad this story had a happy ending for the dog and her owner.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
