Two Massachusetts men are being held without bail after police say they assaulted a disabled man and threatened to eat his dog.
Joshua Farias, 37, and Brian Richard Souza, 37, both of Fall River, were arraigned in Fall River District Court on Thursday and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a disabled person, and breaking and entering in the daytime for felony.
Police said the men were arrested following a disturbance Wednesday afternoon on Eastern Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with a 57-year-old man who said two men, later identified as Farias and Souza, had assaulted him and then fled on foot.
The victim said he had been walking with his wife and dog when they were approached by the men. One of them said, "better move that dog or I will kill it and eat it."
At that point, the man told his wife to go into their apartment building and when he tried to follow her with their dog, the men followed and began punching him in the head and face. Police said the victim tried defending himself with his cane while yelling for them to leave.
When the victim was pushed to the ground by both men, they took his cane and struck him with it while kicking him. They then fled the scene.
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Police were able to arrest the men a few houses away. Both denied the allegations by the victim.
Farias and Souza are due back in court April 30 for dangerousness hearings.
