Stamford Man Allegedly Bites Off Cousin's Ear [Updated]

A Stamford man was charged with assault overnight after he allegedly bit off and swallowed a piece of his cousin's ear following a dispute over the volume of music, police said Monday morning.

Authorities responding to a disturbance at a Stephen St. residence entered to find a man identified as Clemente Perez-Ruiz, 31, at the kitchen table with blood pouring from the side of his head and Emilio Mendoza, 27, standing in the kitchen, holding his eye.

According to police, Perez-Ruiz asked Mendoza to turn down music that was playing loudly as the victim reportedly had work in the morning. Mendoza was "not happy about," the request, police said.

Police said Mendoza allegedly began punching Perez-Ruiz in his head before biting a piece of the man's ear off and swallowing it. Perez-Ruiz was taken to the hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries.

Mendoza faces charges of first-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Following treatment, Perez-Ruiz was arrested and charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct.