BACLIFF — A Bacliff man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty following an investigation that began after deputies responded to reports of a dog being attacked last month, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called to the 4700 block of 6th Street on December 29 after witnesses reported an individual actively attacking a dog. Witnesses told deputies the suspect was stabbing the animal.

When deputies arrived, they observed the suspect holding a screwdriver while pinning a dog to the ground with his other hand, authorities said. Deputies attempted to intervene, but the suspect refused multiple commands to drop the weapon and was uncooperative. Deputies used less-than-lethal force to take the suspect into custody.

Officials later confirmed the dog pinned to the ground did not suffer any stab wounds.

The suspect was identified as Roy Hernandez, 26, of Bacliff. He was initially arrested at the scene on a charge of resisting arrest and transported to the Galveston County Jail, where his bond was set at $3,000.

During the investigation, deputies discovered five additional dogs living on the property in poor conditions without adequate food or water. Galveston County Health District Animal Services was contacted to assist.

While on scene, deputies and an animal control officer located two deceased dogs — one in an advanced stage of decomposition and another in an early stage of decomposition. A third dog was found with a minor leg injury.

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit continued the investigation and obtained a necropsy on one of the deceased dogs. The necropsy determined the cause of death to be strangulation.

Detectives presented the case to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, which approved an arrest warrant charging Hernandez with cruelty to non-livestock animals. Bond for that charge was set at $100,000.

On January 7, Hernandez was arrested at his residence on the new charge and transported to the Galveston County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.