Stonington — Police charged a Pawcatuck man with cruelty to animals early Friday night after the say he shot a pet turtle in the head with a bb gun.

Steven E. Richard, 31, of 63 Griswold St., Apt. 2, was later released on a promise to appear in New London Superior Court on Aug. 4.

Police said the turtle belonged to Richard’s friend’s girlfriend. Police said they went to the Pawcatuck Avenue home where the incident occurred after a neighbor reported a woman, who was the girlfriend, was yelling at Richard.

When they arrived just past 8 p.m., they found the turtle had been shot outside the house. Police said Richard did not explain why he had shot the animal with the rifle.

Richards has past convictions for second-degree breach of peace in 2012 and violation of probation in 2013. He was sentenced to 60 days in prison on the latter conviction.