The alleged incident was reported on August 19 shortly before 10 p.m.
Authorities say Nicholas Piccolino (Nick Piccolino), 33, of Seaside Heights, allegedly beat a 10-year-old female Bichon Frise dog named “Booshu”.
Investigators say that during Piccolino’s time alone with Booshu, a resident of the house upstairs heard several loud banging sounds and a dog yelping in the kitchen below.
Shortly after, Piccolino notified the dog’s owner that something was wrong with her dog, according to police.
Booshu’s owner found the dog dead on the floor of the bathroom, police say.
Investigators say Piccolino claimed that Booshu “dirtied” herself in her crate and that while he was cleaning her up, he dropped her.
Booshu was transported to Red Bank Animal Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
According to authorities, a subsequent necropsy performed on Booshu found that Booshu suffered multiple blunt force injuries to her head and body which contributed to her death.
Bail was set at $35,000 and he was remanded to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail.
(Fox29 - Sept 24, 2016)