Criminal Past For Suspect in Tonawanda Puppy Killing

By Jennifer Stanonis

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July 9, 2010

The man accused of killing a puppy in the Town of Tonawanda has lashed out before. According to Town Court records, 24 year old Marc Dash was charged in 2006 with assault against a person. Those charges were reduced to harrassment and Dash was dismissed on certain conditions, including an order of protection and community service. The victim's mother says Dash was dating her daughter at the time of the assault. "Maybe would not do this again but now that this happened it's just unbelievable," the mother said. "I just pray that he can get off the streets or get some help."

Dash is now facing a felony charge of cruelty to an animal. Police say Dash intentionally kicked his current girlfriend's 10 month old puppy down a flight of stairs in her house on Kenview Avenue in the Town of Tonawanda during Sunday morning, while his girlfriend was at church with her grandmother. Dash admitted to kicking the puppy and attempting CPR on the dog, but when that was unsuccessful he hid the puppy in a bag in the trunk of his car and told his girlfriend the dog ran away. Tonawanda Police say he was seen by a neighbor bringing a duffel bag into the house from his car and then returning out to the car with the bag. That neighbor told the girlfriend what was seen and she checked the car and found the bag and her dog.

Authorities say Dash's criminal history won't really affect this case, but if he's convicted the courts will look at his prior history for sentencing.

Officials continue to investigate and Dash has been released on an appearance ticket. He's scheduled to be arraigned in Tonawanda Town Court in early January