SPARTANBURG, SC (FOX Carolina) – Spartanburg Deputies say a man was arrested Saturday for hitting a dog.

Deputies said this while driving on Hwy. 357 A witness said he observed a man walking his pit bull dog. He told deputies the man grabbed the leash and began punching the dog.

Deputies said they searched for the man and after finding him, they received multiple calls about him harming his dog.

“You can have that,” the man replied, according to deputies.

Deputies asked the man for identification and if he had a gun. The man said he had a gun, “but it doesn’t shoot… I’m not allowed to carry a gun, so it’s in my pocket.” he said.

The man also claimed to have a gun; The 22LR Imperial Metal Model 9 pistol did not belong to him and someone had left it at his home.

Deputies arrested the man and identified him as 47-year-old Michael Jason Hart.

Spartanburg County Animal Control arrived and took over the animal cruelty investigation, deputies said. Animal Control issued Hart two citations.

Deputies said they discovered Hart was indicted on drug charges in 2001 and convicted as a registered sex offender in 2002.

Neither charge made Hart ineligible to own a firearm.

Hart, Spartanburg Co., on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. He was sent to the Detention Center.

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