Pennsylvania: Greg Novick Jr., still on probation for chopping up his grandma's dog with a hatchet in 2012, tried to sexually assault a woman and punched her in the face when she resisted, say police

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Lower Burrell man on probation for using a hatchet to kill a dog in 2012 was accused Friday of punching and choking a woman.

Gregory Novick Jr., 29, of Michigan Avenue, is accused of assaulting the woman in her Chestnut Street, Lower Burrell residence, allegedly after a night of drinking.

Police say the incident occurred June 26 but said Novick was able to elude capture until Thursday. He was arraigned Friday morning.

Police say Novick, the victim and another woman were drinking at a Lower Burrell bar along Leechburg Road until last call and then walked to the victim's residence, where they drank more alcohol.

Novick fell asleep in the house and the second woman left sometime before Novick woke up.

At about 3:30 a.m., Novick allegedly tried to kiss and touch the victim, who told police she pushed Novick away several times.

Then, police say, Novick grabbed her by her throat and punched her, including breaking her nose.

According to a police report, the woman told them she had a similar experience with Novick in the past but she didn't file a police report.

Police charged Novick with aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.

On Friday, District Judge Cheryl Yakopec ordered him sent to the Westmoreland County jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bond pending a preliminary hearing on July 12.

According to arrest papers, in February 2012, Novick came home "highly intoxicated" on Feb. 15 and wanted to talk to his grandmother but the dog growled at him and wouldn't let him near her.

Novick then is accused of luring the dog into the kitchen where he used a hatchet to kill the animal.

The grandmother told police that, after the dog left her side, it suddenly was quiet in the house and, a brief time later, Novick told her he killed the dog.

She didn't believe him and asked where the dog had gone.

According to the police report, Novick told her he put the dog in a burn barrel. Novick then left the house, according to police reports.

The next morning, his grandmother saw foot prints in the snow. The tracks led from the house to the barrel. When she opened the lid, she saw her beloved dog's bloody body.

He pleaded guilty to charges in that case.

(Tribune Live - July 1, 2016)

Earlier:

• Pennsylvania: Greg Novick Jr. charged with chopping off head of grandmother's dog
• Pennsylvania: Greg Novick Jr., 25, admits to luring his grandma's dog into the kitchen where he chopped it to death with a hatchet

Police To Charge Boy, 17, With Animal Cruelty For Decapitating Cat

PENNSYLVANIA -- State police plan to charge a 17-year-old Indiana County boy with animal cruelty for decapitating a cat with a hatchet.

Police announced their intentions Tuesday, although the incident occurred Oct. 12.

That’s when police say the Black Lick boy first injured the cat by kicking it.

According to a news release, the boy then cut off the cat’s head “due to injuries sustained.”

(CBS Local - Nov 4, 2015)

Fort Myers man beats dog with hatchet

FLORIDA -- A Fort Myers man was arrested on Saturday for allegedly hitting a dog on the head with a hatchet.

A neighbor and property manager told the Fort Myers Police Department they believed Thomas Middleton II had taken a Tomahawk and whacked a dog on the head he was dog-sitting.

When Officers arrived at the apartment in the 3000 block of Cleveland Avenue, they found a bloody hatchet with what appeared to be dog hairs on it.

Thomas Middleton II

Middleton told officers the dog, referred to as "Bruno," in the report had bitten him. When officers saw the dog, they noticed a large open cut on its head consistent with a cut from a sharp instrument.

Middleton told officers he was defending himself from the dog.

Middleton said, "It's just a ... dog."

Animal Control Officers removed the dog and a cat at the residence.

Bruno the dog is alive and well, under the care of the Lee County Domestic Animal Services.

Middleton was charged with one count of causing cruelty, death, pain and suffering to an animal.

Middleton is being held at the Lee County Jail on $10,000 bond.

(News Press - Sept 29, 2014)

Pennsylvania: Greg Novick Jr., 25, admits to luring his grandma's dog into the kitchen where he chopped it to death with a hatchet

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Lower Burrell man pleaded guilty Wednesday to chopping off the head of his grandmother's dog last year.

Greg Novick Jr., 25, was sentenced to serve up to 23 months in jail, but could be released immediately once he can find a place to live.

Westmoreland County Judge John Blahovec rejected an effort by Novick to move in with his grandmother.

“I'm really reluctant to approve your release to live with your grandmother without some sort of treatment. It just makes me nervous,” Blahovec said.

Novick was arrested in February 2012 and charged with cruelty to animals and trespassing for the incident at his grandmother's home.

Police said Novick lured the dog into the kitchen where he used a hatchet to kill the animal.

His grandmother, Dolores Novick, told police her grandson admitted he put the dog in a burn barrel and that she found the decapitated pet the next morning by following foot prints in the snow.

In court Wednesday, Gregory Novick CLAIMED the dog previously threatened his grandmother.

“The dog was biting her on several occasions so we got rid of the dog,” Novick insisted.

Novick said he wanted to live with his grandmother upon his release from jail, but assistant District Attorney Judy Petrush said the plea bargain that was offered and eventually accepted had to include a provision that barred him from having any contact with his grandmother's home.

Novick has already served a year in jail and is now eligible for parole.

Blahovec said Novick can be released as soon as he finds a place to live.

In addition to the jail time, Novick was ordered to serve five years on probation.

(Tribune Live - March 28, 2013)

Earlier:

• Pennsylvania: Greg Novick Jr. charged with chopping off head of grandmother's dog

Tualatin man in custody after killing his dog with a hatchet

OREGON -- A Tualatin man was arrested for allegedly using a hatchet to kill his 13-year-old dog.

Officers found the 13-year-old Labrador retriever after being called at 1 p.m. to the Rivercrest Meadows Apartments at 11865 S.W. Tualatin Road, police said.

The dog's owner, 43-year-old Leroy Jacob Moffitt, was found through a microchip implanted in the canine, police said. He allegedly used a hatchet to kill the dog earlier in the day, but police have not released his motive for doing so.

Moffitt admitted to officers that he killed the dog. Neighbors said they believe this was his way of dealing with an aging pet but the manner in which the dog was put down has upset folks.

"When you euthanize an animal, you give them a shot and they just go to sleep, painlessly," said Danette Hughes, who saw the mutilated dog. "But when you kill an animal with a hatchet, there's got to be pain involved. You can't say there isn't."

Police say you should go to a veterinarian or shelter if you believe your pet needs to be euthanized.

Moffitt is facing a first-degree aggravated animal abuse charge, which is a felony.

(KATU - March 15, 2013)

Pennsylvania: Greg Novick Jr. charged with chopping off head of grandmother's dog

PENNSYLVANIA -- A 24-year-old man is accused of chopping the head off his grandmother's dog.

On Friday, Allegheny Township District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec ordered Gregory Novick Jr., no address available, sent to the Westmoreland County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail pending a preliminary hearing.

Novick could be released if he can post $5,000 but the $50,000 bond would be reapplied if he violates terms of the bond.

Police said Novick previously lived with his grandmother in a house in the 100 block of Michigan Avenue in Lower Burrell and disliked her pet dog.

According to arrest papers, Novick came home "highly intoxicated" on Feb. 15 and wanted to talk to his grandmother but the dog growled at him and wouldn't let him near her.

Novick then is accused of luring the dog into the kitchen where he used a hatchet to kill the animal.

The grandmother told police that, after the dog left her side, it suddenly was quiet in the house and, a brief time later, Novick told her he killed the dog.

She didn't believe him and asked where the dog had gone.

According to the police report, Novick told her he put the dog in a burn barrel. Novick then left the house, according to police reports.

The next morning, his grandmother saw foot prints in the snow. The tracks led from the house to the barrel. When she opened the lid, she saw her beloved dog's bloody body.

The same day, Novick was sent to the county jail for violating a probation he was serving in a drunken- driving case.

Police said he tried to return to his grandmother's house on Feb. 23 but he was turned away.

Novick was arrested after he went to a meeting with probation officials in New Kensington.

In the latest case, he is charged with cruelty to animals and criminal trespass.

CAREER CRIMINAL AT THE AGE OF 24

According to published reports, in August , he was sentenced to intermediate punishment for six months with 40 days of electronic monitoring for drunken driving. He was ordered to attend an alcohol highway safety school and his license was suspended for 12 months.

In December 2006, Novick, then 19, pleaded guilty to indecent assault and was sentenced to one-year of probation.

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Gregory Novick Jr
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 10/31/1987
Arrest Age:24
Date:03/02/2012
Arrest Location: Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Total Bond: $150,000
Charges
#1 Cr Anim: Kill/maim Domestic Animal
STATUTE: 18 5511 A1I M2
BOND: $50,000

#2 Crim Tres Enter Structure
STATUTE: 18 3503 A1I F3
BOND: $50,000

#3 Dui: Highest Rte Of Alc(Bac .16+) Ist Off
STATUTE: 75 3802 C* M
BOND: $50,000

(Tribune Live - March 3, 2012)