Deputies: Pasco man choked wife and family dog after argument

SPRING HILL — A 26-year-old man was arrested Thursday after he choked his wife and their dog to the point of unconsciousness, deputies said.

Nathaniel Christopher Reed of Spring Hill faces charges of domestic battery, animal cruelty and tampering with a victim, witness or informant, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

The incident happened at about 11:20 p.m. Thursday at a home on Beck Lane in Spring Hill, the agency said.

Reed lunged at his wife, tackled her and choked her in front of two witnesses after they had an argument, deputies said.

As Reed began to choke her, the woman grabbed a phone and tried calling 911 but couldn't, deputies said. She was unable to breathe and briefly passed out, deputies said.

Reed then punched and choked the family dog, causing it to also lose consciousness, deputies said.

The woman, who shares two children with Reed, was left with a bloody nose, red marks on her neck and swelling to her left wrist, deputies said.

Reed was booked into the Pasco jail Friday morning without bail.

Contact Justin Trombly at jtrombly@tampabay.com. Follow @JustinTrombly.