Hempstead Man 'Sadistically' Kicked Yorkie, Killing Her: Report

HEMPSTEAD, NY — A Hempstead man "acted sadistically" when he kicked a 3-pound Yorkie so hard it flew in the air and later died during a squabble with the dog's owners in early 2020, a prosecutor said during the man's trial Wednesday, according to Newsday.

Peter Galantino, 62, is facing aggravated animal cruelty, animal torture, and criminal mischief charges after being accused of escalating a hostile encounter with a couple walking their Yorkie and German shepherd as he walked his Goldendoodle, the outlet reported.

The couple, Elizabeth and James Joyce, testified that they were walking in Cathedral Gardens in March 2020 when they saw Galantino's dog squat on a neighbor's lawn before Galantino walked away without cleaning up after him, according to Newsday.

An argument ensued, prompting Elizabeth to shake the Goldendoodle off her leg and drop her Yorkie, the outlet reported.

Elizabeth said Galantino told her "You kicked my dog, now I’m going to kick your dog," before kicking the Yorkie over a telephone line and into a neighbor's driveway, according to Newsday.

The dog was rushed to the hospital but later died.

In his testimony, Galantino claimed that the dog only flew two feet in the air and landed a few feet away — and that what he did "was to defend myself with no intention to hurt the dog," Newsday reported.

Jury deliberations continued Thursday.

Read the full report in Newsday.

According to a Change.org petition titled "Justice For Mocha - 3 lb Yorkie Killed by Violent Man," immediately following the incident the couple called the police and attempted to have Galantino arrested, but "he fled to Tampa before police could get to him."

Galantino was arrested 10 days later after Nassau County police threatened to extradite him from Tampa, the petition said.

"We are trying to get justice for this sweet, beloved, innocent dog who was taken too soon," the campaign's organizer wrote. "This heinous crime should not go unpunished."