Man accused of punching pit bull puppy in video charged with animal cruelty

HENRY COUNTY, Tenn. — A man is facing an animal cruelty charge after a video surfaced online of him allegedly hitting a puppy with his first, according to Paris police.

Israel Patton

Israel Patton, 51, is accused of punching an 8-month-old pit bull in an incident that was captured on video and then circulated on Facebook, according to Chief Chuck Elizondo of the Paris Police Department.

Police say the video was filmed May 5.

An animal control officer later went to the residence and impounded the dog.

Patton appeared Tuesday in Henry County General Sessions Court.