Alaska State troopers based in Anchor Point were notified by a concerned citizen on Friday that a 22-year-old Homer resident had beaten a dog with a baseball bat on July 22 of this year.

Troopers responded to a residence on Ruth Way in Homer and contacted 22-year-old Homer resident William H D Chapman on the animal cruelty complaint.

At the scene Alaska State troopers were able to corroborate the citizen’s complaint by obtaining evidence from the residence. It was found that a dog had been beaten with a baseball bat at that residence and that the dog was later shot and killed following the beating.

During the investigation at the scene, Chapman was confrontational with the investigating trooper’s and attempted to fight with them. Further investigation by the troopers would find Chapman at an illegal marijuana grow operation on the property. The investigation also found that Chapman had a large cache of firearms at the residence.

During the investigations troopers also learn that two children lived in the home and were frequently under Chapman’s care at the residence.

The Alaska Bureau of investigation statewide drug task force was notified, and they responded to assist troopers already at the scene.

Chapman was charged with cruelty to animals, endangering the welfare of a minor, weapons charges, drug charges, and disorderly conduct. He was transported to the Homer jail and remanded to the facility.

The investigation into the incident is continuing.