Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Peter Minichello, 21, of West Islip, was indicted for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and other related charges, for allegedly beating “Pup-Pup,” his aunt’s five-year-old Chihuahua mix dog, causing severe physical injuries that led to its death.
“This defendant allegedly preyed upon a tiny defenseless dog while he was home alone,” said District Attorney 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.”
According to the investigation, on July 6, 2022, Minichello was allegedly left home alone with Pup-Pup while his mother and aunt were at work. When Minichello’s aunt returned home, she saw Pup-Pup inside of his crate, not moving and covered in blood and bruises. When the defendant’s mother and aunt had left earlier that morning for work, Pup-Pup was healthy and had no injuries. Minichello’s aunt sought medical attention for Pup-Pup, but he ultimately died days later as a result of his injuries.
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.
On October 6, 2023, Minichello was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Philip Goglas, for the following charges:
- Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class E felony;
- Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;
- Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, a Class A misdemeanor; and
- Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, 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 October 25, 2023, and he is being represented by Pierre Brazile, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ashley Stapleton and Annemarie DiBlasio of the Biological Environmental Animal Safety Team (“BEAST”), with investigative assistance from Detective Alexandra Breyer and the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.