A Kentucky man who burned his wife’s dogs and threatened to shoot her after she argued with him about having an affair with another woman has been arrested.
Bobby Atkinson He allegedly threatened to kill his wife during an argument early Thursday, May 21, at their home in Louisville, according to The Wave.
Atkinson’s wife told police they got into an argument at their home about another woman. After confronting him, he said Atkinson, 37, pulled out a gun while getting his children ready for school.
“With the gun at his side, the perpetrator approached the victim and said, ‘If we didn’t have a daughter together I would shoot you standing over you,'” according to the arrest warrant. Louisville Courier Journal learn.
Atkinson’s wife then left the home with her children and tried to get an emergency protective order. It is reported that the wife found out from a friend that Atkinson was expecting a child with another woman and then returned to them to get his medication, according to the report. The Courier Journal.
When he returned, Atkinson’s wife allegedly heard smoke and heard something burning in the house.
One of the dogs was found under the bed. The dog then came out “covered in ash” and appeared to have open wounds and burnt fur, according to WAVE. The woman later told the police that the dogs were covered in ash, and it also appeared that they had speed in their fur.
Both dogs were taken to Louisville Metro Animal Services for treatment and their conditions are unknown at this time.
Atkinson was arrested around 3:40 pm on May 21, according to the report The Courier Journal.
He has since been charged with two counts of cruelty to a dog or cat, two counts of second-degree animal cruelty, harassment and one count of third-degree menacing, according to jail records reviewed. Us Weekly.
Atkinson attended his arraignment on Friday, May 22, and pleaded not guilty. His bond was initially set at $20,000, though a judge later raised it to $50,000, per WAVE.
A Tennessee man is accused of trying to kill his mother by setting her and her house on fire after trying to evict her, authorities said. Dustin Tayler Machen is charged with first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping, vandalism, burglary and tampering with 911 in connection with the incident. […]
After the incident, Atkinson’s wife told WAVE that she feared for her family’s safety.
Meanwhile, executive director of The Arrow Fund Shelia Joneleit he told the newspaper that the allegations against Atkinson show a connection between animal abuse and domestic violence.
“When people set dogs on fire because they’re trying to talk to their spouses, it’s a big fear,” Joneleit said. “Animal abuse.”
The Louisville Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately respond Us‘ a request for comment on the case.
