Chattanooga man reportedly caught in the act of animal cruelty

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – A Chattanooga man is facing a charge of animal cruelty after he was reportedly caught in the act of seriously abusing a pit bull.

According to the arrest affidavit, Hamilton County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 3900 block of West Freedom Circle to assist a Humane Society animal control officer who was already on scene investigating an animal cruelty complaint that was filed by a neighbor of John Huyck, 25.

While taking information from the neighbor, the officer and the neighbor reportedly witnessed Huyck jump over a backyard fence to get his pit bull which had wondered into another neighbor’s yard. But instead of simply retrieving the animal, The officer and another witness told deputies they saw Huyck repeatedly punching the animal. They also said he picked the dog up by its fur and threw it over the chain link fence. The pit bull reportedly yelped in pain when it landed. According to the witnesses, Hyuck jumped back over the fence onto his property and began punching and slapping the dog in the face.

According to the animal control officer, the dog was in obvious pain and fear from being repeatedly punched and thrown over a fence.

Hyuck was charged with animal cruelty and has already bonded out of jail.

His next court date is October 19.

News 12 will have more on this story developing story later tonight.