Joplin man faces animal abuse charges after choking dog

A man from Joplin faces animal abuse charges after being accused of choking and hitting his dog.

Court documents claim 34-year-old Brandon Youngblood then put the dog in his trunk, drove to Grand Falls and released the pet.

The probable cause statement says Youngblood's girlfriend told police it wasn't the first time he had abused the dog.

The pet was not limping or visibly hurt but ran off after being released at the falls.

An arrest warrant was issued for Youngblood with a $1,500 bond.