Crime & Safety

Suffolk Man Charged With Killing Dog In Home: Cops

The man kicked the dog down the stairs, killing it, police say.

The man was charged with killing the dog last summer, police said.
The man was charged with killing the dog last summer, police said. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)

WEST ISLIP, NY — A West Islip man was arrested and charged with killing a dog in his home last summer, Suffolk County police said.

Peter Minichello, 21, was at his home on Edgewood Road on July 6, 2022 at about 10 a.m. when he pushed a 5-year-old Chihuahua mix dog down a flight of stairs, police said.

Following an investigation by Third Squad detectives and the Suffolk County District Attorney Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team (BEAST), it was determined this action directly led to the death of the animal, which belonged to a family member.

Find out what's happening in West Islipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Minichello is charged with third-degree aggravated cruelty to animals and third-degree criminal mischief, police said.

He was released on a desk appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on August 1.

Find out what's happening in West Islipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.