Man arrested after allegedly assaulting elderly man with walking stick following dog dispute
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) says someone has been arrested after they allegedly assaulted their neighbor with a walking stick.
According to CSPD, officers were sent to the 4600 block of Crimson Circle North around 4 p.m. for a report of an assault. Officials say investigators learned neighbors were arguing over a loose dog.
At around 9:30 a.m., an arrest affidavit claims that 73-year-old resident Robert Sutton grabbed the dog by the collar when a woman approached, claiming the dog was hers. Sutton allegedly told the officer he couldn't identify a tag on the dog with a name or address.
Court records state that Sutton handed over the dog and later called law enforcement about the incident.
Records state that the woman's husband, identified as Dax Pellegrino, showed up around 4 p.m. to talk to Sutton about the interaction with his wife.
According to records, Sutton went outside to speak with Pellegrino, while holding his walking stick and pepper spray. Sutton reportedly told law enforcement that during the conversation, Pellegrino moved closer while having aggressive body language.
Sutton told officers Pellegrino then swung at him before turning back around. Court records state that Sutton told officers this is when he used his pepper spray. It is reported that after this, Pellegrino allegedly grabbed Sutton's walking stick and struck him three times. According to court records, Pellegrino then left the scene.
Law enforcement noted that when speaking with Sutton after the incident, he appeared to be in severe pain. According to court records, after Sutton received medical care, it was discovered he had serious bodily injuries.
Court records state that during an interview with Pellegrino, he told law enforcement that he didn't like Sutton's attitude, and when he noticed Sutton had pepper spray, he tried swatting the pepper spray out of his hand. Pellegrino said this is when Sutton deployed the pepper spray, hitting him in the face.
Pellegrino then told law enforcement he hit Sutton with his hand before walking away, which caused Sutton to fall. According to court records, Pellegrino claimed he then went to leave; however, Sutton sprayed him again with the pepper spray, which is when Pellegrino states he grabbed Sutton's walking stick and hit him with it two times before leaving the residence.
Pellegrino was arrested and charged with 1st-degree assault charges, with additional charges for crimes against an at-risk adult, which is a felony, according to law enforcement.
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