Man arrested for allegedly abusing his dog

MORGANTOWN — A Virginia man was arrested in Morgantown for allegedly abusing his pitbull because it had an accident in the house.
Nathan Edward Steve, 24, of Stephens City, Va., is charged with animal cruelty with torture.
About 5:30 p.m., officers from the Morgantown Police Department, were called to Jones Avenue after MECAA911 received a call about a man beating his dog. The dispatcher heard yelping in the background during the call.
When an officer arrived, Steve was holding the dog — one hand holding paws, the other holding the snout — in the air and swinging it around. The complaint stated it did not appear the dog was biting Steve, but that he was using the lower jaw to help lift it.
Steve was sweating profusely, his face “dripping with sweat” and he had trouble speaking with the officer for a short while because he was out of breath.
Asked why he was using such force on the animal, he told the officer that the dog had used the bathroom in his house.
Andrew Stacy, Morgantown’s public information officer, said the dog is a pitbull named Jackson.
Jackson seemed to be limping on his left front leg and was trying to protect that leg, licking its paw and putting the paw under his body while lying down, the complaint said. There was also blood on two of the paws.
Animal control was called to remove Jackson, Stacy said.
Dave Yarborough, dog warden, said he removed Jackson and another pitbull that was on the property. They are being cared for at the Monongalia County Canine Adoption Center.
“Both dogs are doing very well in our care,” he said.
Yarborough said he inspected Jackson and, in his opinion, the dog’s injuries were minimal.
If convicted, Steve faces one to five years in prison and a fine of $1,000-$5,000.
He was arraigned in Monongalia County Circuit Court and released on $10,000 bond.