LI Man Sentenced For Fatally Beating His Aunt's Dog: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A West Islip man was sentenced to four months in jail after he pleaded guilty to fatally beating his aunt's dog, Pup-Pup, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Monday.

Peter Minichello, 22, also faces five years of probation and a lifetime ban on owning animals after he beat the 5-year-old Chihuahua-mix dog, resulting in severe physical injuries that caused his death, Tierney said.

On July 6, 2022, Minichello was left home alone with Pup-Pup while his mother and aunt were at work, according to court documents. When Minichello’s aunt returned home, she saw Pup-Pup inside of his crate, not moving and covered in blood and bruises, prosecutors said.

When Minichello’s mother and aunt left for work earlier in the day, Pup-Pup was healthy and had no apparent injuries, investigators said. The aunt sought medical attention for Pup-Pup, but he died days later, officials said.

Pup-Pup suffered extensive injuries, including multiple broken ribs, blunt force trauma to the head and body, and a penetrating wound to the elbow, authorities said. He ultimately died because of a traumatic brain injury, the DA said.

"What this defendant put an innocent animal through is as shocking as it is deplorable," Tierney said in a news release. "A dog’s love is unconditional, and my heart goes out to the defendant's aunt who lost a beloved companion."

On June 13, Minichello pleaded guilty to all charges contained within the indictment, including aggravated cruelty to animals and third-degree criminal mischief.

Minichello was represented by Pierre Bazile.

"Prior to the incident in question Mr. Minichello had no contacts with the criminal justice system, at all," Bazile told Patch. "In 2021, he suffered a traumatic brain injury, and this incident was the unfortunate result of mental illness, secondary to the aforementioned [traumatic brain injury]. Mr. Minichello accepted responsibility for his actions, and has committed to continue the treatment necessary to prevent him from re-offending in the future."