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SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man was arrested over the weekend after police say he kicked his dog several times while intoxicated.

Just before 7 p.m. Saturday, patrons inside a restaurant at 1435 S. State observed a man outside kicking his dog multiple times, according to Salt Lake police detective Robert Ungricht.

Police were called. But before officers arrived, "a patron in the business decided to go outside and handle the situation himself," he said.

Ungricht said the dog owner was intoxicated and became belligerent toward the patron. As the confrontation became more heated, the man pulled out a concealed handgun and pointed at the dog owner, he said.

"He pushed the gun out of his face several times and then told the patron to just shoot him," Ungricht said.

Instead, the patron went back into the restaurant. When police arrived, Jessie Brown, 36, was arrested for investigation of felony animal abuse and public intoxication. The arresting officer noted that Brown "appeared confused and was having trouble with his balance," according to a Salt Lake County Jail report.

Witnesses said the man's dog appeared to be in distress, had a cut chin and "multiple injuries to the dog's left rear leg," the report states.

Salt Lake County Animal Services was called to take custody of the dog.

Ungricht did not know immediately on Monday what kind of dog it was or the extent of the dog's injuries, which were not believed to be life-threatening.

Possible charges against the gunman were also pending, Ungricht said, for brandishing.

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