Spokane police arrested 36-year-old Marlitto Burnley on July 1 on suspicion of first-degree animal cruelty. The arrest followed an incident where Burnley allegedly grabbed a dachshund named Pupito from a car and slammed it to the street.

Pupito sustained serious injuries during the incident. Burnley is being held in the Spokane County Jail without bond. He made his first court appearance on Wednesday and is scheduled for arraignment on July 7.

According to court records, Burnley was upset that his step-daughter's mother requested the child stay with her grandfather while the mother was out of town. The grandfather took the step-daughter and other children to a park with small dogs, reportedly aware of Burnley's intention to take the child. Burnley arrived at the house and began searching for his step-daughter.

When the grandfather and children returned from the park, Burnley blocked their car. Burnley yelled and moved aggressively toward the grandfather, who used pepper spray for protection. Burnley then reached into the grandfather's car window, grabbed Pupito, raised the dog over his head, and slammed it to the street. The dog appeared motionless after being slammed.

When officers arrived, children were seen crying and comforting the injured dog. "Pupito is recovering," Spokane police spokesperson Daniel Strassenberg said.

Court records detail a sequence of events beginning with a domestic dispute regarding childcare arrangements that escalated into a physical altercation involving the animal. The arrest on first-degree animal cruelty charges and the immediate detention of the suspect without bond reflect the legal proceedings associated with the allegations.