BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Hamburg man accused of shooting his dog in the head was arraigned Monday in Hamburg Town Court.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office said 62-year-old Dennis J. Rutkowski was arraigned on one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, one count of prohibited use of weapons and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
The DA said that on June 28, Town of Hamburg police responded to a residence on West Canyon Drive to conduct a welfare check. While outside Rutkowski’s residence, the officers allegedly saw an injured dog in the backyard.
According to investigators, Rutkowski is accused of shooting the dog in the head with a rifle and intentionally discharging the firearm near other occupied residences.
The DA said the weapon was seized and Rutkowski was placed under arrest. The dog, an approximately 7-year-old male German Shepherd named “Sky,” was taken to the Orchard Park Veterinary Hospital to be treated for a single gunshot wound to its face and is currently in the custody and care of the SPCA Serving Erie County.
Rutkowski is scheduled to return on July 30 for a felony hearing and was released under the supervision of the Probation Department.
The DA said the judge imposed a temporary securing order that prohibits Rutkowski from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals while the case is pending prosecution.
