Man Hit Puppy With Two By Four: Putnam Police

PUTNAM, CT — A man faces an animal cruelty charge after he struck a six-month-old German Shepherd puppy with a wooden two-by-four in Putnam Wednesday, according to police.

Matthew J. Chisholm, 42, of no certain address, was charged with cruelty to animals and second-degree breach of peace.

Putnam police said they received a report around 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 29 of a man hitting a dog with a two-by-four piece of lumber in the vicinity of Church and Lafayette streets.

When police arrived, they found a man matching the description. The German Shepherd was underneath a vehicle nearby. The man, identified as Chisholm, told police the dog belonged to him, according to police.

Police said they interviewed witnesses and saw the dog had “obvious” physical injuries, and arrested Chisholm.

Chisholm is due to appear in Superior Court in Danielson Feb. 12.

The dog was taken to the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments’ animal services program for evaluation and veterinary care.

Jen Hutchins, animal control program coordinator, said Thursday the dog is still there, and officials are finding a new home for her.

“We have the dog in our care, and she is doing well,” Hutchins said. “We have a place for her to go where she will be safe.”