Man arrested on animal cruelty charge

LONGVIEW — Authorities in Longview have arrested a Tatum man for alleged animal cruelty. Police say they were dispatched Wednesday afternoon to the America’s Best Value Inn on Estes Parkway regarding a disturbance in one of the rooms. Upon arrival, officers made contact with 54-year-old David Fields, who they say admitted to punishing his dog for using the bathroom on the floor. An officer found the dog in the room and observed what was termed serious injury to the animal. During the investigation, a veterinarian told officers that the dog had severe trauma and was taken to Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center for treatment. Fields was jailed on a charged of cruelty to an animal with serious bodily injury, a 3rd-degree felony.