Police: Man smashed Yorkie's head against wall, kicked it in the ribs

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (WITI) -- A Bentonville man said he injured his wife's Yorkie by smashing the animal's head against a brick wall and kicking it several times in the ribs.

Charles Clark Wright, 36, was arrested Wednesday (July 31) in connection with aggravated animal cruelty — a Class D felony.

Wright's wife came home July 23 to find Momo, her 6-year-old Yorkie, “barely responsive” with “bruising around his eye and an abrasion to the back of his head,” according to a probable cause affidavit.

A veterinarian at Sugar Creek Animal Hospital in Bentonville also examined Momo. He said the dog had a “large fracture to the back of (his) skull slightly above the spine” and broken ribs that were healing.

The vet added the injury “would have caused substantial pain to Momo that would have lasted until treated,” according to the affidavit.

Wright provided no reason to his wife about why he smashed Momo's head. He declined to make a statement to Bentonville police.