Marathon Man Accused Of Animal Cruelty

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MARATHON (CBSMiami) - A Marathon man was arrested after he allegedly beat and tried to hang his dog.

On Tuesday, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office sent a deput to check out reports of a drunk man abusing his dog. Witnesses said David Gross, 51, had picked his dog up by its leash and was hanging him, bouncing the dog up and down and hitting him.

Gross also allegedly threatened to throw the dog into the water and kill him. The dog, a small Chihuahua named "Batman" was reportedly crying and choking as he was being abused.

The deputy checked out Batman and found that he appeared very thin, malnourished and his right front leg appeared to have been broken and not reset properly.

Animal Control was called and took custody of the dog.

A check on Gross in computers revealed he is a convicted felon in both Michigan and that he failed to register in Monroe County as such.

Gross was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty, causing an animal pain and suffering and failing to register as a convicted felon.