Man threw girlfriend’s puppy against wall, tried to drown it in bathtub

NEW YORK -- Brockport Police are calling it a disturbing case of animal abuse. Police say 22-year-old Keshawn John-Charles slammed a three-month-old puppy against a wall, before trying to drown it in a bathtub. Officials say due to the attack, the puppy had to be euthanized.

The court papers describe a brutal attack against a three-month-old pit bull puppy. Police say it all happened because the owner got frustrated when he was training it. Investigators say they have dealt with animal abuse cases in the past, but this one was extremely disturbing.

 

Keshawn John-Charles

Dog Control Officer Kathryn Beaumont was one of the first to see the three-month-old pit bull puppy clinging to life.

Beaumont said, “No motion at all, just kind of in a stupor.”

Police say 22-year-old Keshawn John-Charles deliberately tried to kill his pit bull, Ziggy. Court documents say he threw the dog against the wall and then proceeded to hold its head underwater in a bathtub. Police say it was all because the puppy defecated on a blanket.

Lieutenant Mark Cuzzupoli, Brockport Police, said, “Somebody had witnessed this happening to the three month old puppy.”

Police say a witness inside the home off of Spring Street stopped the attack and a neighbor called police. The puppy was taken to emergency services at a veterinary hospital when investigators say he had to be euthanized because of his injuries. The brutal attack has left this community in shock.

John Charles was arrested two days ago, eight days after the attack. Police charged him with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. Investigators say crimes like this don’t happen often in this community, but Beaumont says she’s seen her fair share of abuse over her 26 years as a dog officer.

She says it never gets easier.

Beaumont said, “They're all innocent. They turn to us. They want us to think for them and take care of them and they give you so much in return that it's like, it's hard.”

Investigators say they made the arrest eight days later because they had to wait on evidence to properly charge John Charles.

John Charles was released on an appearance ticket. He will face the judge for the first time on September 10. The aggravated cruelty charge is a Class-E felony. If convicted, he may serve up to one year in jail.

(WHEC - August 22, 2012)