HICKORY, N.C. — A Catawba County man is facing charges after he reportedly placed his puppy in a trash bin outside, then confessed to authorities while being arrested for a suspected DWI.
- Phillip Christopher placed the puppy in a trash bin after she used the bathroom in the home
- He says he told troopers about the incident when they pulled him for suspected DWI
- Hickory Police responded to the home and found the dog
Phillip Christopher said he was trying to potty training his 4-month-old pitbull puppy Daisy May. After she used the bathroom inside the home, he says he took her outside and placed her inside an empty trash bin with a pillow and blanket.
Christopher then drove to the store, a trip he thought would only last 10 minutes, but was pulled over by the State Highway Patrol.
While he was being arrested and charged with a suspected DWI, Christopher told the trooper he had left his dog in the trash bin and he needed to get home.
After posting bond, Christopher returned home several hours later to find Hickory Police officers at his home.
The incident report says officers found the dog in the trash bin and that Christopher kicked the dog, but the owner denies he ever kicked the puppy.
Police charged him with Felony Animal Abuse and took Daisy May to the Catawba County Animal Shelter.
"I said, go ahead, write me up, do what you gotta do, let me get the---outta here so I can go home and take care of my dog," said Christopher.
He voluntarily surrendered Daisy May, who Catawba County Animal Shelter staff says is now being adopted by the officer who found her.
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