A 34-year-old man from Mexico, Missouri, was charged Wednesday with four felonies after he was accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home and killed her dog.
Allen Lyons is charged with second-degree burglary, animal abuse, first-degree harassment and armed criminal action, according to online court records.
The Mexico Public Safety Department arrested Lyons on Tuesday in connection to the burglary and killing, which happened on Oct. 17.
A news release from the Public Safety Department said officers responded to a burglary in the 1000 block of Hazel Place on Friday. The resident reported someone had entered the home and killed her dog while she was at work, according to a probable cause statement.
The dog was found dead in a bathroom, and evidence at the crime scene indicated the dog had been violently attacked and died a traumatic death, according to the probable cause statement.
A preliminary necropsy report from the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center showed the dog had suffered severe head trauma with puncture wounds and internal bleeding, according to the probable cause statement.
Investigation led to the arrest of Lyons, who had been in a relationship with the resident and had lived in the home until recently, according to the probable cause statement. GPS data obtained from Lyons' phone and video footage from the home showed Lyons had been there at the time of the killing, according to the probable cause statement. Lyons denied involvement, the statement said.
The resident said Lyons had been sending her harassing text messages in the days leading up to the incident, according to the probable cause statement.
Lyons was processed at the Public Safety Department and taken to the Audrain County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
Lyons has a confined docket hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the Audrain County Courthouse, according to court records.