'Disturbing' Video Shows Portsmouth Man Abusing Dog: Police

PORTSMOUTH, NH — A Portsmouth man was arrested after on a "disturbing" video showed him kicking and yanking a dog in the air by its leash, police said Sunday. David Dantino, 26, was charged with three counts of animal cruelty. He was released on bond pending an arraignment.

Police said a witness recently captured a video of Dantino walking the dog, named Knox, on Anne Avenue.

"The video ... depicts (Dantino) on one occasion completely lifting the dog off the ground by a neck leash causing the animal to twist freely in the air," Portsmouth police said in a statement. "Another clip captures the man kicking the dog in the ribs violently enough to cause the dog to recoil from the impact. In a third installment, the man is seen repeatedly violently jerking the dog’s leash causing the animal’s neck to snap sideways on numerous occasions."

Police said the dog is owned by an "associate" of Dantino. No charges have been filed against the owner and the dog remains with the owner.

Dantino will be arraigned March 4 in Portsmouth District Court.

Photo credit: Portsmouth Police Department