Dog beaten, pistol-whipped Crown Point, IN (US) Incident Date: Friday, Apr 7, 2006 County: Lake Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Eric L. Hecker, Jr

Case ID: 8028 Classification: Beating, Shooting Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in IN (US) Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior Login to Watch this Case

A Crown Point man who beat, pistol-whipped, and shot a dog during a fit of rage before punching his father's girlfriend has been charged with three felonies.

Eric L. Hecker Jr., 22, of the 300 block of Wright Street in Crown Point, is being charged with three felony counts of criminal recklessness, one felony count of animal cruelty, and cited with one misdemeanor count of battery for hitting the woman, according to Crown Point police.

According to a release by Crown Point police spokesman Eldon W. Strong, Hecker visited the woman around midnight on April 7 and became perturbed when her dog urinated on her carpet. He took off his belt, the woman told police, and beat the dog before unpocketing a handgun and whipping the dog with that.

The gun accidentally discharged, police said, shooting the animal in its right front leg.

Children were present but were not injured.

Two hours later, police were called to Hecker�s nearby home after his father�s girlfriend complained that Hecker hit her in the mouth with his closed fist after the two argued over the dog situation.

Police said the woman had visible injuries.

After arresting Hecker and confiscating his .380-caliber handgun, police arranged for the dog to be transported to an animal hospital.

He could face between three and 12 years in jail and a maximum fine of $45,000 if convicted.

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References

CBS News - April 9, 2006

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