AXTON, Va. – A man was arrested on multiple animal cruelty charges in Henry County, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office said.
HCSO said they received a report of animal cruelty at a home on Kimway Drive in Axton. After investigation, they found the resident had been beating his two dogs with a baseball bat, punching them, and striking one with a large rock.
“We were able to determine that the individual has in fact struck one of the dogs multiple times with a baseball bat and punched those dogs as well as hit one multiple times with a large rock,” Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said.
Deputies said they went to the home to check on the well-being of the dogs. While they were assessing the area, the owner came outside. Law enforcement informed him that he was under arrest, and the suspect attempted to flee.
“The person, the owner, came outside and initiated conversation. The conversation was very brief in nature,” Sheriff Davis said. The situation escalated quickly and he displayed signs to either assault one of our officers and or flee.”
Authorities said this resulted in an altercation between the suspect and the deputies, and during this time, he bit one of the deputies twice, and struck another with his elbow multiple times. He was then taken into custody.
“A deputy did receive a laceration to the finger that may possibly develop into some stitches,” Sheriff Davis said. “The bite mark was not so severe as to require medical attention.”
The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Luis Antonio Bacerra-Eames. He was taken to SOVAH Health Martinsville, where he was treated for minor injuries. Bacerra-Eames was charged with the following:
- 2 counts of Animal Cruelty (felony)
- 2 counts of Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (felony)
- Resisting Arrest (misdemeanor)
The two dogs were found to be mixed pit bull breeds, and they were taken to a local veterinarian for evaluation. They will be housed at the Henry County Animal Shelter.