Crime & Safety
Animal Cruelty Arrest in Severna Park
Police called to home on Benfield Road where a pit bull was shot and later died. The following arrest information was supplied by the the Anne Arundel County Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.
At about 6:35 p.m. on Saturday, officers from the Eastern District Police Station responded to the 300 block of Benfield Road in Severna Park for an animal complaint.
According to the police report, upon arrival, officers spoke to resident Charles McConnell Jr., 39, who said he was in his backyard when he was aggressively approached by a neighbor’s pit bull. McConnell reported that the dog was aggressively barking and growling at him.
According to police, during the incident, McConnell pulled out a handgun and shot the animal once. Consequently, the animal ran away and later died from its injuries. Officers recovered evidence from the scene and conducted several witness interviews.
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According to the police report, McConnell was arrested and charged with discharging a firearm in a residential area and animal cruelty. Both are misdemeanors.
A follow-up investigation is underway by the Eastern District Detectives Unit to obtain additional documentation and information to submit to the State’s Attorney’s Office to assist in their evaluation of the case.
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The investigation is ongoing at this time.
Editor's Note: Another incident involving a pit bull occurred in on Sunday.
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