Intoxicated Ethel Man, 20, Arrested for Allegedly Punching Puppy

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An Ethel man was arrested for animal cruelty after he allegedly got drunk and punched a puppy early Friday morning, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies responded at 12:45 a.m. Friday on the 100 block of Oyler Road in Ethel and contacted Jesse G. Pegram, 20, according to a news release from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Family members of Pegram told police that he had become “intoxicated and had beaten the family puppy,” a 5-month-old German shepherd named Bernice. Family members also told police Pegram might have thrown the puppy against a tree.

When police contacted Pegram, he was very agitated and “obviously intoxicated,” according to the release. The puppy sustained injuries to its face, included an “extremely swollen” eye, as well as an apparent leg injury.



The deputy took the dog to a veterinary clinic because the family did not have a way to transport the puppy and because “the deputies were concerned for the puppy’s condition,” according to the release. The puppy was kept overnight for observation. However, the veterinarian said “he was optimistic the puppy would make a full recovery,” the news release said.

Pegram was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital for medical clearance before he was booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree animal cruelty charges. He will be referred for minor in possession.