Virginia man charged with felony animal cruelty after dog found dead near Middletown
Frederick County deputies allege a Reston man stabbed his dog multiple times after the animal was injured, leading to misdemeanor and felony animal cruelty charges.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Erfan Behnam is 34 and from Reston, Virginia. Frederick County deputies found his dog dead near Middletown. Charging documents allege the dog had approximately 14 stab wounds. Behnam allegedly told deputies the dog had been injured after jumping from his vehicle. Deputies reported a blood trail and a knife that appeared to have been wiped clean. He faces three misdemeanor animal cruelty counts. He also faces one felony aggravated cruelty charge. A bail review was scheduled in Frederick District Court.
A 34-year-old Reston, Virginia man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges after Frederick County sheriff’s deputies said they found his dog dead near Middletown early Thursday.
Court and charging documents identified the man as Erfan Behnam.
According to the source material, Behnam told deputies the dog jumped from his vehicle and was injured. He allegedly told investigators he then stabbed the animal because he believed it needed to be put down.
Charging documents allege the dog suffered approximately 14 stab wounds.
Investigators also reported what they described as inconsistent explanations about what happened, a blood trail extending from the area where the animal was found and a knife on the vehicle dashboard that appeared to have been wiped clean.
The allegations have resulted in three misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and one felony charge of aggravated cruelty to an animal.
A bail review was scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday in Frederick District Court, according to the source material.
The charges remain allegations, and the case will now move through the court system.
Investigators may also rely on veterinary or forensic evidence to establish the dog’s injuries, cause of death and the sequence of events leading to the animal’s death.
Because the case remains pending, no determination of guilt has been made.
WHAT IT MEANS
The felony charge indicates investigators are treating the allegations as more serious than ordinary neglect or a minor animal-welfare violation.
The next stages of the case will likely focus on physical evidence, witness accounts and any veterinary findings that help establish what happened.
The charges remain allegations unless proven in court.
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