Police: Man used woman's dog to beat her

SANFORD, Fla., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Authorities in Florida said they arrested a man accused of using his live-in girlfriend's small dog as a weapon to strike her during an argument.

Police said in a report the girlfriend and her daughter arrived at their Sanford home Sept. 13 and the girlfriend said he "freaked out" when one of them tried to smoke crack cocaine, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday.

The alleged victim said Jones threatened to kill the dog, went outside, pulled it from her vehicle and began swinging it around. When she tried to rescue her pet, Jones to pushed her to the ground and struck her repeatedly with the dog.

The woman said he choked her while she was on the ground. He also allegedly broke the car's windshield with his fist.

Police said Jones fled the scene on a bicycle with the dog. They said the canine was still with him when he was stopped.

Jones denied hurting the dog and said he left the home for his own safety.

Jones was charged with domestic violence battery by strangulation, criminal mischief and tormenting an animal.