Violent Creep Released from Jail for Drowning Small Dog

SAN ANGELO— A San Angelo man has bonded out of the Tom Green County Jail after he allegedly beat and drown a small dog.

Brenden Griffin, 32, was arrested on February 11, 2024, and released on February 12, 2024, for Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals Killing/Poisoning/Serious Bodily Injury after he beat and held a Shih Tzu under water in a bathtub.

According to court documents, on February 8, 2024, San Angelo Police responded to a call concerning the death of an animal. The officer arrived and contacted the complainant who said that the defendant, identified as Griffin, that a small Shih Tzu dog, had died.

The woman rushed to the 1800 block of South Harrison Street where the deceased dog was recovered. She noticed red marks on the dog, and she learned that Griffin had gotten into an argument with her daughter prior to the dog’s death.

The next day on February 9, 2024, a different officer received a call from a subject asking about a potential arrest warrant. Griffin provided a telephonic statement pertaining to his actions during the original incident and this resulted in a direct response being made at the apartments on the South Harrison Street. There, Griffin was contacted, Mirandized, and he provided a statement.

Griffin stated that on the night of the incident, he and a woman had gotten into an argument regarding him contacting another female. This led to Griffin having an outburst of anger and he launched into an attack on the dog by hitting the animal with an open hand around five times. Following this attack, the dog was “given a bath” where he held the dog underwater. After removing the canine from the bathtub, it soon died on the floor.

Griffin said that he was concerned that if the issue was not addressed, he could hurt another person.

The same day, the deceased dog was taken to Main Street Animal Hospital where a vet assessed the animal. The dog had deep red marks through its chest and abdomen. These marks were consistent with blunt force trauma. Further, the dog has been previously treated on January 30, 2024, where it appeared healthy.

A follow up interview was conducted where it was learned that on February 7, 2024, the dog’s owner was told by Griffin that the animal had died. He originally told the owner that the dog had passed away in its sleep or had possibly consumed a toxic substance.

Griffin was arrested for Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals Killing/Poisoning/Serious Bodily Injury on February 11, 2024, and booked into the Tom Green County Jail. He was released on February 12, 2024, on $15,000 bond.