A McKinleyville man arrested on Thursday after a stand-off with law enforcement that began after he allegedly injured a puppy will be arraigned Monday on a count of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Mark Stanley Ghirardo, who was released from his parole status on Tuesday, is also facing a count of resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

The 50-year-old man was arrested after a 1 1/2-hour stand-off on suspicion of animal cruelty, threatening a peace officer and resisting arrest, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Lt. George Cavinta said Thursday.

The man, who lives in a cabin in a trailer park at 2331 Central Ave., allegedly tried to strangle a female pit bull mix with its leash and appeared to be intoxicated.

The four-month-old brown-and-white puppy has since been taken to the Humboldt County Animal Shelter in McKinleyville, where she will remain until Ghirardo’s son picks her up or until the case is resolved in court. His adult son has until Tuesday to do so, Cavinta said.

When the puppy was brought to the shelter, her eyes were bloodshot, which a veterinarian determined is likely related to minor head trauma, Animal Shelter Program Coordinator Brent Ferguson said.

“It’s a sweet pup,” he said. “It appears fine, it’s in good health and the dog is here at the shelter and will be held until released by the courts.”

Before authorities showed up, Ghirardo allegedly made statements to neighbors indicating he may slit the dog’s throat with a knife, Cavinta said. The man allegedly the threw the knife to the ground, put a leash on the puppy, picked her up and slung her through the air, and carried her for a short distance before dropping her to the ground, Cavinta said.

Ghirardo then allegedly kicked the dog twice until she ran away. “Fortunately, the dog’s fine,” Cavinta said.

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