KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
July 1, 2024
By Natalie Cook Clark
Last Friday Fort Bend County Constable’s Office deputies responded to a call from a Katy veterinarian in regard to an animal cruelty case. The dog died and a man is now behind bars.
An urgent care veterinarian clinic in Cinco Ranch called authorities last Friday as they treated a Teacup Pomeranian with serious injuries. The dog died in what authorities say is one of the most horrific animal cruelty cases this area has witnessed.
“The man was mad at his wife saying she loved the dog more than him. He held the dog by the hind legs and beat it against the doghouse,” says Fort Bend County Constable Chad Norvell, who says he’s never seen anything like this.
The dog was pronounced dead at the veterinarian’s office. Pengfei Ji, 31 years old of Richmond, was taken into custody by Precinct 1 deputies for third degree felony Cruelty to Animals and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail.
“This just leaves me speechless”, said Constable Norvell. “I’m glad we were able to put him in jail and that he’ll face justice for his horrendous actions. I send my condolences to his wife on the loss of her precious companion.”
Video showed the suspect grabbing the dog by the rear legs and swinging the dog over his head, slamming the dog into a doghouse several times and then discarding the animal into the yard.
“We chose to post pictures of the dog instead of the mugshot,” explains Constable Norvell. “We’d rather honor the dog,”
Ji is still in jail as his wife hasn’t posted bond.
In Texas, intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly torturing, killing or seriously injuring an animal is a third-degree felony. This crime can result in a sentence of 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Animal cruelty is a serious crime that the Katy area takes seriously.