Man Bites, Punches Dog for Disobeying, Deputies Say

A 52-year-old homeless man faces a felony charge of animal abuse after deputies say he hit a small dog named Chloe, bit her ear and then slammed the miniature greyhound mix on to the sidewalk for disobeying his commands.

Scott Morrison faces a charge of Cruelty to Animals for the incident, which occurred Tuesday at about 8 p.m. near Myrtle Street and U.S. 301 in Sarasota.

Deputies with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office were on routine patrol  when they heard yelling and saw a man bent over and punching something near the ground.

As they went to investigate, they heard an animal yelping in pain and saw a small dog distressed and shaking, partially inside a black backpack.

Deputies say that Scott Morrison, who identified himself as homeless and unemployed, claimed that he became “frustrated and angry,” because the dog wasn’t listening to him.

He admitted biting the dog’s ear in order to “train it.” A witness told deputies that she saw Morrison shake the dog, strike her three times and then slam her on the concrete.

Animal Services took custody of Chloe, a black-and-white miniature Greyhound mix.

She had no visible injuries, but tests are being performed to confirm her condition.

Get the Sarasota Patch newsletter delivered to your email. Sign up here.