East Carolina's Commissiong charged with animal cruelty, dismissed from program

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.

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.