Thomas Distasio was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after a witness to the incident called police Sunday, Nov. 6.
The witness told police they saw Distasio take his 4-month-old Beagle puppy and throw her across the room and into a freezer, UpNorthLive reported.
They also said he stomped on and kicked the dog because she had been getting into the trash.
The Beagle, named Maggie, was rushed to the North Straits Animal Clinic for treatment.
"She was completely non-responsive," said D. Valerie Chadwick. "She was struggling to breathe and she had severe congestion in her airways and throughout her chest cavity. There was certainly head trauma based on the physical exam findings. Very quickly thereafter coming in she went into respiratory arrest."
However, Maggie's wounds were too severe and she soon died.
If convicted, Distasio faces up to four years in prison. He has a criminal record and is being treated as a habitual offender.
His bail was set at $100,000 and he is lodged in the Cheboygan County Jail, UpNorthLive reported.
(MLive - Nov 10, 2016)
