A Brooksville man is behind bars after deputies said he beat the family’s pet dog to death.
Justin Niederhelman, 23, is facing one count of animal cruelty, as well as violation of terms of pre-trial release related to a felony domestic violence case involving his father.
Deputies responded to a house on High Corner Road Thursday shortly before 11 p.m. to investigate the beating death of a dachshund, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
When they arrived, they spoke to Niederhelman’s father, Thomas, who was the owner of the 7-year-old dachshund. They said Niederhelman told them his son had admitted to repeatedly hitting the dog in the head with a flashlight.
The dog ultimately died from its injuries.
Thomas Niederhelman said his son tried to hide the dog’s body by wrapping it in a blanket, then hiding it in a bag of dog food, which he then placed outside, the report said.
Deputies said that when they questioned Justin Niederhelman, he denied being at the house. However, his mother confirmed that her son had been at the house earlier in the day.
Justin Niederhelman was previously arrested on July 21 in connection with the felony case involving his father.
As a condition of his pre-trial release, he was not to have any contact with his father. As a result, Niederhelman is being held without bond at the Hernando County Detention Facility.