Dog, child assaulted
Spokane, WA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Feb 1, 2011
County: Spokane
Charges: Felony CTA, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Jeffrey Scott Brown
A man suspected of beating his dog in front of his neighbors is now also under arrest for allegedly abusing a four-year-old child.
That man, Jeffrey Scott Brown, told investigators he may need help controlling his temper.
Detectives say it started when Brown began volunteering explanations for why his wife's four-year-old son had so many bruises.
One of Jennifer Brown's friends convinced her to take her son to the emergency room where doctors found injuries consistent with a pattern of abuse over an extended period to time.
Spokane County Sheriff deputies then went to the Brown family home and handed both of their kids over to Child Protective Services.
Neighbor Judy Berger said that at that point, Brown allegedly took his anger out on the family dog.
"He was on his butt and he was kicking him until they got to the barn," Berger said. "The dog got away from him some how, ran up to the porch, he ran up to the porch and was punching like this into the dogs face and kicking him, drug him back and took him into the barn and I thought 'Oh boy.'"
Berger called SCRAPS and Brown voluntarily surrendered the dog to animal control officers. Veterinarians found the dog had a broken leg and a dislocated hip and Brown was charged with animal cruelty.
SCRAPS officials say they were impressed with Berger taking interest in protecting Brown's dog from further abuse. Even though a dozen apartments face the Brown property only Berger took the time to pick up the phone and call animal control officers.
The dog has been adopted by a new family; as for Brown, between charges of beating his dog and his wife's son, he remains in custody with his bond set at $70,000. References |
