Police in Vermilion have arrested a man they say beat a dog he was looking after multiple times.
According to authorities, a family was out of town camping and had asked 30-year-old Brian J. Carrick to take care of their two dogs. However, a neighbor later told the residents they heard Carrick hurting one of the dogs, and the residents later shared home surveillance video of the alleged incident.
Officials say the video shows Carrick yelling at the dog—named Max—for eating the other dog's food around 10:30 p.m. on June 23. Carrick can then be seen striking Max multiple times on his shoulders/neck and on his rear with a paddle, with Max yelping each time he is hit.
Later, Carrick allegedly pushed the paddle against Max's nose (the dog was apparently lying on the ground in fear) and asked, "You want [to get] beat again?" Carrick also appeared to be intoxicated at the time.
Max was later taken to the vet and does not appear to have any serious physical injuries. However, doctors said he did seem "unusually skittish and easily frightened."
Carrick is charged with animal cruelty and disorderly conduct persisting (both misdemeanors) and is scheduled to appear in Vermilion Municipal Court Tuesday at 9 a.m. If convicted, he could face up to seven months in jail.
