By Terence J. Downing, Enterprise staff writer
Originally published in The Enterprise, February 10, 2002
BROCKTON — A small poodle was beaten to death in what authorities are calling one of worst cases of animal abuse they have seen in years.
Police said the dog's owner and her daughter watched in horror as Christopher L. Chamberlain, 23, of Court Street smashed the dog against a house and deck during a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend late Friday night.
The couple have a 2 1/2-year-old child.
Police said he also struck his girlfriend's mother in the head with the dog, which died of multiple injuries, including a broken neck.
The dog, Falcor, a 9-year-old mini poodle, was dead when they arrived on the scene at 320 Court St.
Chamberlain had fled the scene and was caught by officers following a high speed pursuit in which he went through two stop signs, police said.
Scott Giacoppo, manager of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals office in Brockton, said that although the case seems extreme, animals are often abused in homes where there is domestic violence.
"It's very common to see animals abused in domestic violence. They are used as control devices,'' said Giacoppo.
"Usually if there is domestic violence, very often you will see animal abuse as well,'' he said.
Jamie Davidson, 22, Chamberlain's ex-girlfriend, told police he was at her house with some underage friends drinking in the garage when she arrived home Friday night.
Davidson and her mother, Sharon demanded that they leave.
Davidson told police that Chamberlain went into a rage and began yelling obscenities.
As he left the house, he grabbed Sharon Davidson's dog by the cable leash and began whipping it against the house and the deck.
Chamberlain then swung the dog at Sharon Davidson, hitting her on the left side of the face, police said.
Witnesses told police Chamber then threw the dog over the deck railing and fled in a red Camaro.
Animal Control Officer Darren Hand and Patrolman George Almeida arrived on the scene and found Falcor at the base of the deck stairs at the rear of the house.
"I can't believe he did it,'' Sharon Davidson said Saturday. "You had to see it. I just can't believe he did that.''
Patrolman Darvin Anderson stopped Chamberlain at 18 Washburn St., as he pulled into a driveway.
Chamberlain was released on $500 cash bail early Saturday morning and will be arraigned in Brockton District Court.
He has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, domestic assault and battery, cruelty to animals resulting in death, failure to stop for a police officer, operating to endanger, speeding and having an open container of alcohol.
Sharon Davidson said Chamberlain had lived in the house with her and her daughter for about five years.
She told police the couple broke up but Chamberlain "refuses to let her go.''
© 2002 The Enterprise.
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