CNHI News Service

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. – A homeless man could face a long jail term if convicted of stealing a dog he once gave away.

Eric Robert Krause, 42, allegedly kicked down a door and then entered the apartment to retrieve a dog he said he previously owned.

Krause and his girlfriend, who are homeless and live in a tent, had given the dog away. Later, they offered a man $25 for its return, but he declined. That set off a scuffle and the pair left with the dog, which was described as a mixed-breed named “Girl.”

The next day Jeffersonville police spotted Krause and his dog near a downtown drugstore. Krause told detectives his girlfriend attempted to purchase the dog, and the owner slammed the door and injured her hand. Krause said he became angry, and that is when he kicked open the door and took the dog.

He faces six to 20 years in prison if convicted of the Class B burglary charge. He is in jail but his girlfriend was not arrested. A June trial date was set.

Details for this story were provided by The Evening News in Jeffersonville, Ind.