JAMES CITY— James City County Police have charged a Toano man with felony animal cruelty and larceny in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s dog following a domestic dispute earlier this month.
Steven Shane Hunt, 39, of the 2500 block of Little Creek Dam Road, was charged after an investigation into the March 1 incident.
Officers responded about 1:15 p.m. to the residence for a reported domestic disturbance. During the investigation, officers learned Hunt allegedly injected his girlfriend’s dog, a 3-year-old American pit bull terrier named Gigi, with a prescription medication that was not prescribed to him. The dog reportedly collapsed and lost motor control shortly afterward.
Family members transported the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic, where staff later recommended euthanasia due to the severity of her condition.
Hunt was arrested March 1 on unrelated charges, including two counts of violating parole and two counts of violating conditions of bail.
Following a subsequent investigation by James City County Animal Control, additional charges of felony animal cruelty and larceny were obtained. Hunt was served with those charges March 24.
He is being held without bond at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.