A Massachusetts man charged with fatally beating his girlfriend's dog with a broom handle may have also been sexually abusing the dog, according to The Telegram & Gazette.
Gregory Fargnoli, of Auburn, faces numerous charges including animal cruelty and assault and battery.
Prosecutors allege the 26-year-old man beat the 12-year-old dog while his girlfriend was at work. While police were investigating the dog's death, the girlfriend told police that Fargnoli assaulted her.
A forensic necropsy of the dog found there was evidence of sexual assault.
Fargnoli was placed on house arrest after a dangerousness hearing Tuesday.
The girlfriend told The Telegram & Gazette that she met Fargnoli online and moved from Louisiana a few weeks ago to live with him.
His lawyer called the allegations against his client out of character.
