NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) — 57-year-old John Pichcuskie of Niagara Falls is facing one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty after police said he neglected his Siberian Husky and paid a friend to lie about it.
According to police, they received a call from a driver on July 22nd who said the dog, named Roscoe, had been hit by a car. He was instructed to bring the dog to the SPCA of Niagara County.
During examinations it was determined that Roscoe had not been hit by a car but was suffering from severe neglect. According to the Niagara Falls Police Animal Control Department the dog was covered in maggots. Roscoe died at the SPCA three days later.
Earlier this week, the driver confessed to police the dog’s owner paid him $20 to make up the story and turn the dog in to the SPCA.
The driver isn’t facing any charges in exchange for his cooperation.
Pichcuskie told investigators the dog’s condition stemmed from accidentally eating rat poison. Investigators still aren’t sure that’s true.
Pichcuskie’s facing the felony charge, and is due back in court at a later date.
An uncensored version of Roscoe is embedded below.
