NEW CASTLE — A Western Pennsylvania man accused of killing a puppy during a fight with his girlfriend says police killed the dog, not him.

Leroy Graham had been due in court Wednesday, but told reporters after his hearing was continued that an officer killed the puppy after responding to a report of a fight outside their New Castle apartment.

Graham’s girlfriend told police he killed the dog and choked her after she was late coming back from a shopping trip on July 11.