Dog beating suspect free on bond

The man accused of the sledgehammer beating of a dog in a DeKalb County park is free on bond.

Joseph Waters, 48, was arrested Dec. 3 on a felony charge of animal cruelty. Online jail records show he was released on $25,000 bond Friday night.

The Australian shepherd was discovered with a severe head injury at Murphy Candler Park on Dec. 2. After a week in a veterinary clinic, the dog was placed in the care of the man who found him.

The dog, now called “Murphy,” lost an eye but appears to have no permanent brain damage.