Tampa man accused of beating dog with pipe, severing its ear with machete

TAMPA — A 31-year-old man was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with animal cruelty after a witness told police he beat pit bull with a pipe and cut off the dog's ear with a machete.

The witness told police and Hillsborough County Animal Services the man called the pit bull that was walking south past his yard into the yard and closed the gate. Then he picked up a pipe and began beating the dog and laughing before he got the machete and sliced off the dog's ear, an arrest report said. Police say Clopinel Pascal of 8506 N. 17th St., Tampa, admitted to the offense after he was arrested. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail where he was being held for $2,000 bail.