Chicago Man Charged With Punching Puppy In The Face

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Mar 8, 2012 7:00PM

A Chicago man has been charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals after punching his puppy in the face because it wouldn't stop barking. Taj Oatis, 33, was arrested Wednesday morning after police received a call of animal abuse at his residence.

The 6-month-old brown puppy was "cowering in a corner" when police arrived. When police asked him why, Oatis admitted to punching it.

The Tribune writes:

Officers found both of the pup’s eyes had broken blood vessels and there was blood around its pupils, police said.

Police learned Oatis had an outstanding traffic warrant and found that he cannot be in possession of a dog because he is a convicted felon, police said.

Oatis, of Edgewater, is also an admitted gang member, police say. He was also charged with misdemeanor possession of certain dogs by a felon. The puppy was taken to Animal Care and Control.