A man was arrested Wednesday after police said he killed his daughter’s dog during a domestic dispute earlier in the week in North Branford.

Arnaldo Silva, 51, faces charges of cruelty to animals and second-degree threatening, according to the North Branford Police Department. He was held in custody following his arrest and was expected to face a judge on Thursday in New Haven Superior Court.

Police said they were dispatched to Silva’s home in the Northford section of town Monday at 11:21 p.m. on the report of a possible domestic dispute. Officers en route learned that a resident of the home had reportedly killed his daughter’s dog.

Officers were directed to where Silva was in the home and found a blood trail leading from the living room, down a hallway and into his bedroom, according to police. Silva was covered in blood and had a bloody nose and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police allege.

Police said they requested an ambulance for Silva, who was uncooperative with officers. He was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital for medical attention.

Officers conducted a sweep of the residence and found the daughter’s 2-year-old bulldog dead. They also found a bloody kitchen knife in the dog kennel.

The animal was taken to the UConn Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory for an autopsy.

Officers in North Branford processed the scene for evidence and said they coordinated their efforts with the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office and East Haven Animal Control, the latter of which provides regional services to the Town of North Branford.

Authorities submitted an arrest warrant for Silva on Tuesday for “the highest possible charges,” according to North Branford police. The warrant was signed by a judge a day later before being served on Wednesday.

“Incidents like this one remind us of the complex challenges law enforcement officers face every day,” North Branford Dep. Chief James Lovelace said in a statement. “I commend the swift and decisive action of our officers in ensuring the safety of the victim and apprehending the suspect.”

“Our department remains dedicated to upholding the safety and well-being of our community,” Lovelace continued. “We too are appalled and disturbed by this atrocious violent crime and our heart and deepest sympathy go out to all involved. We are thankful for our first responders, partnerships with the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office and East Haven Animal Control. We look forward to a swift prosecution and conviction of the offender with the full extent of the law.”

Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates — an animal rights group that follows a number of animal cruelty cases and regularly attends court proceedings seeking harsher punishment in such matters — shared a number of posts to Facebook about the arrest, including photos of the bulldog accompanied by the caption “Justice for Diesel.”