So. Gibson man faces animal cruelty charges

BY ROBERT L. BAKER

A 40-year-old South Gibson man has been charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly ripped the heads off of four chickens belonging to another man in May.

Eliseo LaBruno, also faces charges of criminal mischief, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct for allegedly trashing a residence on May 23 along Old Newburg Turnpike.

According to a police complaint, a neighbor of the alleged victim heard a window smash at the residence and then encountered LaBruno on an all-terrain vehicle wielding two machetes.

LaBruno then slapped the machetes off of the ATV and told the neighbor to get out of his way.

According to the complaint, the neighbor asked if the owner of the residence was okay, and LaBruno told him no, and that he had chopped him up as well.

The neighbor went to the house and found the damage and dead chickens but not the owner, and called the police.

The owner pulled into the residence later, and the next day also called police to report the damage.

After the incident, LaBruno voluntarily requested a mental health evaluation at Marian Community Hospital, according to the complaint.

LaBruno is to appear before District Judge Suzanne Brainard in Clifford on Tuesday.