To “discipline” a wayward puppy, a man punched her with such force a witness thought the blows could knock down a person, DeKalb County police said.

Kirby Crane, 26, of Ellenwood went to the BP gas station at 1736 Candler Road outside Decatur this past Saturday, according to a police report. He brought his dog, which wasn’t wearing a leash.

It wandered the parking lot while Crane stood around.

A couple started petting the dog. The girlfriend picked her up and walked toward Crane when he called for the puppy.

“As she went to hand the dog to the suspect, he struck it with a closed fist twice,” a responding officer wrote, citing security camera footage, which was released Thursday. “After striking it with a closed fist, he grabbed it by the neck and dragged it back to his vehicle and left.”

Witnesses got his tag number.

At his home, Crane admitted being the man at the store to police, but said he didn’t recall hitting the puppy, the report said.

But if he did, he said, it was for disciplinary purposes.

Crane was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

He was released Wednesday on $3,000 bond and ordered to stay away from animals, jail records show.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter and Instagram

In other news:

About the Author

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com