West Islip Man Indicted After Killing Aunt's Dog: DA

WEST ISLIP, NY — A 21-year-old man was indicted on Friday for fatally pushing his aunt's dog down a flight of stairs, resulting in its traumatic injuries, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.

On July 6, 2022, Peter Minichello was allegedly left home alone with Pup-Pup, his aunt's 5-year-old Chihuahua mix, in West Islip, according to the investigation.

His mother and aunt were at work at the time.

When they had left earlier that morning, Pup-Pup was healthy and had no injuries, prosecutors said.

But when Minichello’s aunt returned home, she saw Pup-Pup inside his crate, not moving and covered in blood and bruises.

Minichello’s aunt sought medical attention for Pup-Pup — but he ultimately died days later as a result of his injuries, prosecutors said.

Further investigation revealed that Pup-Pup had sustained extensive injuries, including multiple broken ribs, blunt force trauma to the head and body, and a penetrating wound to the elbow. He ultimately died due to a traumatic brain injury, prosecutors said.

"This defendant allegedly preyed upon a tiny defenseless dog while he was home alone," said Tierney. "Every act of abuse that occurs in Suffolk County, including the abuse of animals, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

On Oct. 6, Minichello was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Philip Goglas, on the following charges:

• Aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class E felony
• Third-degree criminal mischief, a Class E felony
• Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, a Class A misdemeanor
• Fourth-degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor.

Judge Goglas released Minichello on his own recognizance but ordered that he not own or possess any animals during the pendency of the case.

Minichello is due back in court on Oct. 25.

Patch reached out to Pierre Brazile, Minichello's attorney, for comment.