The Brief

Dejean Bowens, charged with first-degree animal cruelty, pleaded not guilty after allegedly assaulting a dog at a Seattle kennel.

The dog, Mitch, died from injuries sustained during the attack, which occurred while Bowens was working overnight.

Lazy Dog Crazy Dog kennel has terminated Bowens and is reviewing safety protocols to prevent future incidents.

SEATTLE - King County prosecutors have charged 20-year-old Dejean Bowens with first-degree animal cruelty . He pleaded not guilty in court on Monday.

The backstory:

Seattle Police say he was working overnight at the Lazy Dog Crazy Dog kennel in Ballard on August 3 when he became irritable with a black lab named Mitch who had knocked something over.

Detectives say he brutally kicked Mitch at about 4 a.m. The dog cried ou

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