30-Year-Old Abused Puppy In Street, Threatened Those Who Tried To Stop Him, Including Kid, With Knife: Police

KINGSTON, NY — An Ulster County man abused a puppy, and then lashed out when bystanders tried to intervene, according to police.

The Kingston Police Department says that 30-year-old Quameik Byrd, of Kingston, was arrested and charged with felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (with previous criminal conviction); misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon; four misdemeanor counts of second-degree menacing; misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child; misdemeanor overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals; and disorderly conduct.

On Thursday, around 10:15 a.m., police went to Cedar Street after receiving a report of a man armed with a knife abusing a dog.

Police say Byrd was seen by several people kicking and striking a young puppy, as well as dragging the animal by its leash, and lifting the animal into the air by its leash.

When the witnesses tried to intervene and stop Byrd from abusing the puppy, he is accused of pulling out a knife and threatened to stab them and their families, according to police. One of the people he threatened was under the age of 17, police said.

Byrd was arrested and taken to Kingston Police Department headquarters, where he punched a concrete wall with his fist, cops said. After being taken to HealthAlliance Hospital, he was treated for a fractured finger and released. He was then taken back to police headquarters for processing, and held for arraignment in Kingston City Court.

The Kingston Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Ulster County SPCA. The puppy is currently in their care.