Man Had Sex With Dog, Video Of Act Leads To Arrest

An 18-year-old Michigan man was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of having sex with a dog, state police said. Damian Barton was charged with a count of crime against nature or sodomy.

Barton's arraignment took place in 88th District Court in Alpena, about 250 miles north of Detroit. A magistrate ordered Barton to be held on a $5,000 bond after he was taken to Alpena County Jail. His next court date was set for May 2, court records showed.

The incident came to light last week when police received a call about a man caught on surveillance video engaging in sex acts with a bull terrier/lab mix. The caller told state troopers that she was reviewing home security video footage when she saw the man in the act. Troopers reviewed the video and arrested the suspect, the Detroit News reported. Barton was reportedly an associate of the family whose property this act took place on.

Under Section 750.158 of the Michigan Penal Code placed against Barton, it is a felony to commit detestable crimes against mankind or against animals. If convicted, Barton could face up to 15 years in prison.

As of late Tuesday, it remained unclear who the dog belonged to and what was the condition of the dog. Other details of the case were also not made available by police.

In another case reported this month, a 27-year-old man in Ocala, Florida, was arrested for engaging in sex acts with a dog. According to the arrest affidavit earlier this month, the incident came to light when a woman went to the Ocala Police Department to submit a mobile phone that her brother had found in a restaurant. The phone contained several “disturbing images and text messages.” The owner of the phone also allegedly had a Facebook page filled with animated images of animals, most of which were of "dog-like creatures," "engaging in vulgar sexual acts.”

Investigators identified the man as Jesse C. Allen and charged him with two counts of “sexual activity involving animals.”