ECU's Darius Commissiong charged with animal cruelty, kicked off team

GREENVILLE, N.C. — East Carolina has dismissed starting defensive lineman Darius Commissiong from the football team after his arrest on a felony animal cruelty charge.

Coach Scottie Montgomery announced the move Friday, the same day Greenville police arrested Commissiong.

Police say a 1-year-old Shih Tzu belonging to a woman they declined to identify was found dead. The dog had three cracked ribs, a collapsed lung, a torn liver, fractured teeth, a broken left rear leg and other injuries.

Commissiong was booked at the Pitt County Detention Center on $25,000 secured bond.

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Montgomery says he won't tolerate "unacceptable behavior" that "clearly crosses the line of humanity."

Commissiong had 10 tackles in 10 games last season after transferring from Iowa Western Community College.