A Farmington man is facing an extreme cruelty to animals charge for allegedly “kicking, stomping and slamming” his dog.
Truman Wyley Pettit, 59, is a convicted sex offender. Pettit, who is part of Farmington’s unhoused population, was found by police with the light brown dog shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday near TJ Maxx, located at 3550 East Main St.
Pettit is accused of “abusing his dog” after witnesses contacted police. Pettit allegedly lifted the dog approximately 2 feet off the ground and “slammed it twice on the concrete,” according to the statement of probable cause.
A witness also reported that Pettit “kicked the dog like a soccer ball” six times and also “curb-stomped” the dog twice, according to police. The witness said the force of the kick was so hard that “the dog peed itself after if was kicked,” according to the statement.
Police said in the probable cause statement that Pettit was on a bicycle and the dog was on a leash when officers approached him. They described the dog as “extremely jumpy,” and said it “had its ears down and kept its head low as if it was afraid.”
Pettit reportedly told police he was near Sam’s Club when the “dog almost got hit by a pickup truck,” and he “pulled the dog out of harm’s way.” He then stated that people accused him of “abusing his dog,” so he left the area, according to the statement of probable cause.
Court records show that Pettit’s first contact with law enforcement in Farmington was for shoplifting in August 2021. At that time, he reportedly admitted to police that he was a fugitive wanted in California for rape.
Pettit was arrested again in April 2022 and pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. He was placed on probation and had several probation violations and warrants issued for his arrest, according to court records.
His next arrest was on Jan. 19, when he was charged with failure to register as a convicted sex offender, a fourth-degree felony. This stemmed from a first-degree felony criminal sexual penetration conviction out of Oklahoma. Under the 2005 SORNA Law, he is required to register every 90 days for the rest of his life, court records state.
At the time of the alleged abuse, Pettit had an outstanding warrant for again failing to register as a sex offender.
Farmington Police reported that the dog was taken to the Farmington Regional Animal Shelter, and Assistant City Manager Shana Reeves confirmed the dog was brought in by police.
The Tri-City Record submitted public records request seeking information about the dog’s condition, and the Farmington City Clerk’s office confirmed the request was received and forwarded to the Farmington Regional Animal Shelter.
The Farmington Animal Shelter released a photo and information about Drake, a 1 1/2-year-old male mixed-breed dog. Drake was “seized” from his owner and is currently in “protective custody,” according to his kennel card.
“Drake presented for a physical exam. All parameters are in normal limits at this time. He appears to be healthy,” according to his kennel card, which describes him as being vaccinated and neutered, and weighing 48 pounds.
