At 10:10 p.m. Sunday, deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request for a welfare check at a residence on Cherry Road near Washington. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a Chihuahua was intentionally killed during a domestic dispute.

As a result of an investigation, Deputy Jason Cleary obtained a warrant charging Paul Anthony Cox, 47, of Cherry Road, Washington, with felony cruelty to animals. Cox was arrested Monday and held in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $15,000 secured bond.