Man Arrested For Feeding Girlfriend Her Own Dog

A Shasta County man is facing stalking and animal cruelty charges after reportedly killing his girlfriend's dog and feeding it to her.

Ryan Watenpaugh, 34, was arrested during a traffic stop on the 8000 block of Silver Bridge Road in Palo Cedro at about 6 p.m. Thursday.

Watenpaugh's girlfriend told police he had assaulted her in her Redding home on August 4. She got away but when she returned her Pomeranian, "Bear," was gone.

Police said Watenpaugh reportedly reconciled with the victim last week and cooked her a meal containing meat. On Sunday she received a text message from Watenpaugh asking how her dog tasted.

Watenpaugh allegedly left a bag containing Bear's paws on the victims doorstep at about 1 a.m. Tuesday.

During a search of Watenpaugh's home, police say they found an AK-47 assault rifle and several high-capacity magazines.

Watenpaugh was booked into the Shasta County Jail on charges of domestic violence, stalking, false imprisonment, and animal cruelty. Officers will seek additional charges for the weapons violations. His bail is set at $250,000.

SOURCE