MAPLE FALLS, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Maple Falls man is in custody after allegedly hitting his family member and their dog with a shovel.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater says deputies were called to a verbal domestic dispute on the evening of Friday, Feb. 2.

The victim told deputies that her family member, 36-year-old Simon Destaffany, became upset when he was told not to eat the victim’s food.

Destaffany started yelling at the victim when their dog started barking at him. Destaffany allegedly grabbed a shovel and began to hit the dog, then hit the victim when she tried to protect it. The victim claims Destaffany hit her and the dog about 20 times with the shovel, causing a laceration on the victim’s head.

Deputies located and arrested Destaffany on Tuesday.

He was bonded out three days later.

Updated Feb. 13, 2024, at 11:40 A.M.