A Florida man has been arrested following a violent incident in which he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend while she was asleep and killed her dog, which was trying to defend her.

Elliot Mack, aged 52, faces charges of domestic battery and animal cruelty related to the events that unfolded on October 20 in Bellview, a town located just north of The Villages.

According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, a 911 caller repeatedly stated, “he beat her,” and described a scene with blood covering the walls. Upon arrival, officers found the alleged victim “crawling” out of the residence, displaying multiple bruises and bleeding from her face and mouth. She appeared “hysterical and disoriented.”

The victim recounted that Mack, her boyfriend, attacked her with a kitchen utensil holder and a speaker, subsequently pinning her with a dresser while she was in bed, as detailed in the affidavit. During the attack, Mack allegedly killed her Chihuahua, which was attempting to protect her. Although the victim did not witness the exact method used to kill the dog, she reported finding its lifeless body amidst a scene of bloodshed, according to police.

After initially fleeing the scene, Mack reportedly returned to continue the assault. The victim expressed her belief that Mack intended to “come back to kill her” and was trying to take everything from her, officers noted.

Officers spoke with a neighbor who said the victim had called her for help. The neighbor called 911 after hearing the alleged victim. She saw Mack leaving and said he would knock out the alleged victim if he saw her again. The neighbor said Mack beats the victim two or three times a week, but no one reports it, the affidavit states.

Paramedics checked the alleged victim out and determined her blood pressure was “dangerously high,” but she declined to go to the hospital. Cops searched the home and found lots of blood and the dead dog in a pillowcase.

“Based on the apparent visible injuries, it appeared that the dog had unnecessarily suffered and died a cruel death,” cops wrote.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Mack and took him into custody on Nov. 3. Mack, who entered a not guilty plea, remains in the Marion County Jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 2.