(AP) — Lincoln police say a 41-year-old man ordered his dog to attack a 9-year-old boy, so the boy wouldn’t be able to defend his mom against the man’s assault.

Lincoln Police Capt. Don Scheinost said Cedric Fowler was arrested after the incident on Saturday night.

Police say Fowler was arguing with a woman when he kicked her and caused her to fall down a flight of stairs.

When the woman’s son tried to intervene, police say Fowler’s dog bit the boy on the hand.

Then the boy ran to neighbors and called police.

Fowler was being held in jail Sunday facing several charges.