Hammond man faces charges in dog’s death

A Hammond man faces criminal charges after allegedly smashing a ceramic dog bowl over a service dog’s head — causing the nearly 10-pound Yorkshire terrier to be euthanized.

Franklyn L. Johnson, 73, was charged Monday with torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal and cruelty to an animal, both level 6 felonies.

It carries a potential penalty between six months to 2 ½ years in jail. Court records show he is not in custody, ordered to be held on a $2,000 cash bond.

A witness told police they were arguing in his kitchen, partly over her making Kool-Aid, when Johnson smashed the bowl over the dog’s head “extremely hard,” according to court records.

They had fought before and he had previously beat her with bats, brooms and a hammer as she shielded the dog, charges allege.

Johnson had “the most demonic look I’ve ever seen,” the witness said.

The bowl weighed almost 2 pounds and was bigger than the dog, she said. The witness screamed Johnson killed her dog. “So,” he allegedly replied.

The audio exchange was caught on a home security camera, according to charges.

The female dog, named “Sweetie Pie,” was unconscious with her tongue hanging out. The woman wrapped her up in a blanket and took her to the veterinarian, who made the decision to euthanize, charges state.

Johnson told police he was washing dishes when the “vicious” dog went to attack his legs, charges state. She had bit others previously, he said. He was holding the dog dish and threw it at the animal to protect himself, he told police.

The Highland veterinarian told police X-rays showed a hole through the dog’s skull. She had several seizures, brain damage and “would never act like a dog again,” documents said.

The injuries were from severe head trauma that needed extra force, not just gravity, the vet said.