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Omaha, NE -- 28-year old Anthony Stevens is behind bars for Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty.  Omaha Police were called to 2580 Laurel Avenue Tuesday for a domestic disturbance involving a chihuahua being injured.   This isn't the first time Stevens has attacked, he has a long history of misdemeanors, Burglary and even terroristic threats.

Neighbors are in disbelief as to why anyone kill a beloved pet chihuahua named "Honey".  Rita Ortiz-Alvarado lives near Honey's owners.   "I just really feel sorry for the dog right now," said Ortiz-Alvarado.

Police claim Anthony Stevens attacked helpless Honey during a fight with his fiance.  Mark Langan works with the Nebraska Humane Society.  Langan explained, "The suspect in the case became so enraged he viciously kicked a Chihuahua dog that was out in the yard off a retaining wall into the street."

Honey's owner didn't want to talk on camera about what happened. She said she bought the pet for her daughter's birthday on July 10th.  The woman said the dog flew all the way to the other side of the street.  She cried when she admitted Stevens and her often fought, but he never hit her or Honey. 

"The animals are innocent victims in the domestic violence situation but many times they're utilized as pawns to intimidate the female that's involved in the situation," Langan said.

The Nebraska Humane Society works with area programs for "Project Pet Safe".   Langan added, many times, "females are less willing to leave a domestic violence situation because they don't want to leave their animals behind."

In fact, studies show about a quarter of abused women stay with their attacker in order to keep their pet.  Langan hopes more victims will escape the violence knowing there's help for their beloved furry friends too.

"Nobody should be an innocent victim of domestic violence. There's programs in place to help the humans involved in domestic violence situations and programs to help the animals," he said.

Honey's injuries were so severe, veterinarians did have to euthanize the chihuahua.

If you are a victim of domestic violence there are many programs in the Omaha Metro to help.
Domestic Violence Coordinating Council: http://dvccomaha.org/
Women's Center for Advancement:  http://www.wcaomaha.org/
Nebraska Humane Society: http://www.nehumanesociety.org/

Reported By: Liz Dorland, ldorland@action3news.com