NJ Man Repeatedly Kicks, Hits Dog With Saw Blade Before Ramming Cop Car During Chase, Police Say

FRANKLIN, NJ — A 62-year-old New Jersey man was arrested after police say he repeatedly hit and kicked a three-year-old Husky before ramming a police car as he fled authorities, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Tuesday.

At around 7:18 p.m. June 7, Franklin Township Police Department got a 911 call reporting an incident of animal cruelty in the area of Somerset Street, authorities said.

Franklin Township Police Officers spoke to witnesses and notes that Dennis Storey of Perth Amboy went inside a store on Somerset Street, leaving his three-year-old husky dog in his vehicle.

While inside the store, the husky got out of the vehicle and wandered around a nearby parking lot before a passerby found the dog and tied him up outside, according to police.

Storey then walked up to the dog and repeatedly kicked and hit it. Storey then walked the dog back to his vehicle, continuing to hit and kick him, said McDonald.

Storey put the dog inside the vehicle while still hitting it, according to police.

At one point, Storey picked up a saw and struck the dog with the blade of the saw before leaving the area, said McDonald.

Franklin Township police officers later saw Storey driving in the area and tried to conduct a motor vehicle stop.

Storey did not stop for several miles, and at one point hit a Franklin Township police vehicle, causing damage to both the police vehicle and his vehicle before getting away, said McDonald.

Officers stopped the chase.

On June 10, Storey was located in Perth Amboy and placed under arrest by Perth Amboy Police Department officers for a warrant out of their jurisdiction. Storey was then turned over to detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and Franklin Township Police Department for processing.

Storey was charged with second-degree eluding, third-degree animal cruelty, third-degree hindering apprehension, fourth-degree animal cruelty, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fourth-degree endangering another person, fourth-degree hindering apprehension, fourth-degree tampering with evidence, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct, a petty disorderly persons offense.

Storey was lodged in the Morris County Jail pending a hearing. On Monday, Somerset County Superior Judge Peter J. Tober ordered Storey to remain in detention pending trial.

The three-year-old husky was later found in a nearby animal shelter and will be examined for injuries.

McDonald thanked officers from the Perth Amboy Police Department for their help with this investigation and the concerned citizens who alerted authorities to this animal cruelty act.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports, including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smartphone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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