Man accused of killing wife's dogs hit with stun gun, dies in MCSO custody

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- Texas Rangers are investigating the use of force by a Montgomery police officer against a man who later died while in custody.

Authorities said Friday that autopsy results were pending from the Dec. 9 death of Michael Joe Landes, 59, of Richards, who was arrested two days earlier and charged with felony cruelty to non-livestock animals.

Landes had been accused of shooting and killing three dogs owned by his estranged wife while the two were involved in a dispute over the phone. During a standoff with police, Landes was hit with a stun gun.

Read more from The Courier of Montgomery County, a Houston Community Newspaper partner