Steven Scott Fleming was convicted of harming the dog behind "Molly's Law," which sets up a registry for individuals convicted of animal cruelty-related crimes. Advocates pushed for the registry, in part, in response to studies drawing a link between crimes against animals and crimes against people.

An Ocala man released from prison earlier this year, after serving a two-year sentence in connection with a high-profile animal abuse case, is back in the Marion County Jail.

Steven Scott Fleming, 51, is charged with domestic battery following an incident on Saturday night. A female victim contacted the Ocala Police Department from a neighbor’s home, according to a police report. She reported to police that Fleming struck her repeatedly.

Fleming last year pleaded guilty to three counts of cruelty to animals, a felony, in connection with an attack on his then-girlfriend’s American boxer mix the previous year. Neighbors told officers at the time that they saw Fleming beating on the door of a Northeast 13th Street home around 3:30 p.m. Then, they reported, they heard screams and a dog crying.

A bloodied dog, Molly, was found inside the home. Molly had three stab wounds and a skull fracture, police reported at the time.

Molly is now recovered and living at the Saving Animals for Everyone sanctuary in Anthony. She is the namesake of the recently passed “Molly’s Law” in Marion County, which sets up a registry for individuals convicted of animal cruelty-related crimes. It calls for fines of up to $500 for any current registrant found to own, live or work near an animal.

Advocates of Molly’s Law, who spoke at county meetings earlier this year, pushed for the registry, in part, in response to studies drawing a link between crimes against animals and crimes against people.

The registry is set to take effect in January and apply to defendants convicted of animal abuse-related crimes from then on. Fleming, then, is not on the registry.

He was released from prison in February, according to Florida Department of Corrections records. The time he spent at the Marion County Jail prior to sentencing last year counted toward his two-year sentence. Court records indicate Fleming also has previously been convicted of drug-related felonies.

— Contact Nicki Gorny at 352-867-4065, nicki.gorny@ocala.com or @Nicki_Gorny.