Stonington — Police charged a Pawcatuck man with cruelty to animals this morning after they say he was seen pulling his dog behind his bicycle.

Police said the 5-month-old pit bull did not want to run as fast as Marlon E. Facey wanted and suffered scraped paws as it tried to slow down. Police said the dog was not being choked by the leash Facey was using.

Facey, 27, of 12 Avery St., was later released on a promise to appear in court on Dec. 7. Police said the dog, which was released to Facey's family, was well cared for and was current on its shots. It did not require any veterinary attention.

Police said they were alerted to the incident by a woman who saw the dog being pulled along by Facey as he rode his bike on Robinson Street on his way to Westerly just past 10 a.m. She confronted Facey but he told her to mind her own business. The woman then called police who apprehended Facey a short distance away. Police said the dog had some blood and redness on its paws.

Facey has previous convictions for interfering with a police officer, drinking while driving, sixth-degree larceny, possession of a shoplifting device and driving with a suspended license.