A man is facing a charge of animal cruelty after the SPCA says he was seen on video abusing his pet dog in a McDonald's parking lot.

It happened at the McDonald's restaurant on Fifth Avenue in Bay Shore last Sunday evening. The SPCA says cellphone video shows the man violently picking up his dog by the collar and dragging the animal across the parking lot before picking the dog up and slamming her into the pavement.

The SPCA says the dog may have suffered internal injuries as a result.

The man, 47-year-old William Anthony Roberts, of Bay Shore, was arrested. He spoke to News 12 Saturday morning as he was led out of the Suffolk Police Department's 3rd Precinct.

Roberts claims he was handling the dog that way to prevent her from biting anyone. He says he's owned the dog, named Princess, since she was a puppy.

"I apologize," Roberts said. "Really want her back, I don't know why they took her. It's my fault, it's nobody else's fault. It's my fault."

Roberts has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

The SPCA says he could face upgraded felony charges if it is determined that the dog did in fact suffer internal injuries.