LEVITTOWN, N.Y. (AP) - A Levittown man has been arrested on a cruelty-to-animals charge after Nassau County police said he tried to strangle his dog before hitting it with a shovel.
Michael Gallagher was awaiting an initial court appearance Saturday, a day after his arrest. It was not immediately clear who would represent the 56-year-old man in court.
Nassau County police said Gallagher was arrested after a neighbor saw him try to strangle and suffocate his Shepherd-mix dog before putting it in a bag and hitting it with a shovel.
Police say the neighbor confronted Gallagher and he ran away. The dog was taken to Levittown Animal Hospital and euthanized.
Gallagher was arrested at a nearby convenience store at 10:30 p.m. He was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, among other charges.
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