N.C. man allegedly strangled girlfriend's Chihuahua, charged with animal cruelty

By: Jacqueline Alemany
Topics: Daily Blotter

Jenna Branham of Wilmington, N.C., with "Charlie," who was allegedly killed while she was in school.

/ Personal Photo

(CBS) Cory Gray, a 24-year-old North Carolina man, is facing animal cruelty charges after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend's pet Chihuahua while she was at school at Cape Fear Community College, the New York Daily News reports.

Jenna Branham, of Wilmington, came home from classes on Friday to discover her 2-year-old pup dead.

""I found him there, and I found little Charlie. He just looked like so in pain and so tense, and he just looked so pitiful and helpless," she told local TV station WWAY.

Gray, who was arrested on Friday night, was charged with felony cruelty against animals and released on $5,000 bond. The motive for the attack has yet to be released by cops, although a relationship change by Branham from "single" to "in a relationship" on Facebook suggests a possible fight between Gray and Branham.

Gray was due to make his first court appearance on Monday, but Branham's family has argued that Gray should be facing harsher punishment. The family has since started a petition to raise awareness about animal cruelty.

"If Charlie had been a person, it would be murder, but it's not. It's animal cruelty," Branham's mother, Donna, told WWAY. "It's not animal cruelty. It's animal murder. He murdered this dog."

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by angrychilover January 3, 2013 6:08 PM EST: Well well well. Seems Miss Jenna is back as a couple with Cory, and her dog is simply left dead with no loyalty from her in poor Charlie's memory. There was NO trial and Cory was permitted to plea and received two years probation. I am NAUSEATED!!!; Reply to this comment


by BoycottBritts September 1, 2012 1:13 AM EDT: I've heard the donuts are actually tasty @ Britts, but WILL NEVER go there due to the fact the establishment supports a dogslaying piece of garbage.
I encourage all locals and even those abroad to google "Britts Donut Shop" and leave reviews/comments on sites like google reviews, yelp, urbanspoon encouraging a boycott, and stating facts, til the lil scumbag is unemployed.
He may as well move out of this area before karma does indeed catch up with him...but will eventually wherever he goes...
Maybe Michael Vick will need a wigger to wash his Escalade.
God normally forgives people for mistakes and sin...but ya'll know what God spelled backwards is??
Hope you can impress Satan with your donuts skills you piece of garbage...hes got a toasty spot waiting for you Trustafarian PoS; Reply to this comment


by Christopher_Street August 31, 2012 5:24 AM EDT: Of all the creatures that were made, man is the most detestable. Of the entire brood he is the only one--the solitary one--that possesses malice. That is the basest of all instincts, passions, vices--the most hateful. He is the only creature that has pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. Also--in all the list he is the only creature that has a nasty mind.
- Mark Twain's Autobiography; Reply to this comment


by mcdanel_1771 August 29, 2012 11:21 AM EDT: The point being made is that this kind of assault on a companion animal deserves a greater penalty than it currently receives. No one is saying an attack on an animal is some how more important than an attack on a human being.; Reply to this comment


by bepeacenc August 28, 2012 3:26 PM EDT: I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Branham family, however I do not sympathize with their cause. As a NC resident and survivor of domestic violence I find it disgusting and demeaning that the Branham family would suggest a harsher punishment for fatal strangulation of their family pet than the punishment for non-fatal strangulation of a human.; Reply to this comment


by bepeacenc August 28, 2012 3:25 PM EDT: I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Branham family, however I do not sympathize with their cause. As a NC resident and survivor of domestic violence I find it disgusting and demeaning that the Branham family would suggest a harsher punishment for fatal strangulation of their family pet than the punishment for non-fatal strangulation of a human.; Reply to this comment


by bepeacenc August 28, 2012 3:22 PM EDT: I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Branham family, however I do not sympathize with their cause. As a NC resident and survivor of domestic violence I find it disgusting and demeaning that the Branham family would suggest a harsher punishment for fatal strangulation of their family pet than the punishment for non-fatal strangulation of a human.; Reply to this comment