Man Accused of Beating Dog Speaks Out

The Gulfport man accused of beating a dog inside his truck is awaiting a court date after turning himself into the Biloxi Police Department.
The video of the alleged incident is still being shared all over Facebook. News 25’s Gina Tomlinson spoke with the man accused of beating his dog.
“Mom, I think Grandpa killed Albert.” This is what attorney Scott Pietrowski says the 11-year-old son of Reaghan Marie Seymour Swain told her after his grandfather allegedly beat this dog. “He was crying. He actually witnessed his own grandfather beat Albert, this poor animal, unconscious.”
The incident, allegedly captured on surveillance video, was shared over a thousand times on Facebook. “Grabbed the dog, threw the dog in the cab of the truck, and began to beat the dog with his fist and what appears to be a flashlight,” said Pietrowski.
Gulfport resident Billy Swain turned himself into the Biloxi Police Department, but he tells News 25 he could never abuse Albert. “Looks like I been beating him, but I was not beating my dog, I was getting onto him for not minding me,” said Swain.
Swain says he was pounding on the car seat. Swain tells News 25 he was dropping his grandson off in Biloxi and Albert wanted to get out of the truck. (So, why are you beating on the seat?) “To teach him to mind me.”
Police came to Swain’s home after many concerned calls, stemming from the Facebook post. Swain says the cops told him his dog didn’t look hurt at all. “This dog never been hurt. He said I been around hurt dogs. They shy, they lay down and all that stuff and Albert don’t do that.”
Swain is charged with animal cruelty. Pietrowski says he should be facing more than just a misdemeanor offense. “ Anybody that watches this video cannot help but be disturbed by it,” said Pietrowski.
Pietrowski says he’s hoping Albert gets taken away from Swain. (What does this dog mean to you?) “Everything,” said Swain.
Swain will appear before a judge on February 6th.