SANDY SPRINGS — Police outside Atlanta say a woman was beaten with a dog’s body in what they call one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they’ve ever seen.

Sandy Springs police say 27-year-old Emmanuel Alfredo Tadeo faces animal cruelty and aggravated assault charges following a fight between him and his wife.

Capt. Steve Rose told WSB-TV that Tadeo is accused of stomping on the couple’s Pomeranian dog. Rose said Tadeo told police that he also snapped the dog’s neck.

Rose said that at one point, Tadeo used the dog’s body to strike his wife.

Police say the dog died. Prosecutors this week upgraded Tadeo’s charges to felonies in connection with the May 19 incident. Fulton County Jail records do not indicate whether he has an attorney in the case.