Bottle broken over dog's head, burned in dryer - New Bedford, MA

Monday, Nov 15, 2010

County: Bristol

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Daniel Vaughn

Police say a city man smashed a bottle of vodka over a dog's head and, on a separate occasion, threw the animal into a clothes dryer when he was supposed to be watching the dog for a friend.

Daniel Vaughn, 25, of 75 Forest St., was arraigned Wednesday in New Bedford District Court on two counts of animal cruelty. He was released on personal recognizance.

The dog -- a 35-pound female Staffordshire terrier named Sky -- was examined last week by the Boston Animal Rescue League. It had sustained numerous injuries, including burned skin, scabbing, multiple scars on its body, puncture marks and trauma to its face and head, police said.

The animal has since been returned to its owners -- New Bedford Animal Control Officer Emmanuel Maciel said Vaughn had agreed to watch his friends' dog while they were momentarily unable to keep it at their residence.

"This is how he watched the dog," Maciel said, noting its injuries, which according to court records also included several missing teeth. Patches of its fur have also fallen out.

Last week, the animals' owners checked in on Sky and found it nose bleeding. Vaughn admitted to them that he had thrown the dog into a clothes dryer for a couple of minutes after he had gotten drunk, court records said.

The owners took the animal to Capeway Veterinary Hospital in Fairhaven. New Bedford police were notified, and arrested Vaughn on Tuesday after an investigation determined that he allegedly abused the dog on several occasions.

Vaughn told police about the dryer incident on Nov. 15, when he was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for stitches on a busted lip. A friend of the dog's owners had punched him because of the alleged abuse, court records said.

Police said Vaughn admitted this week to abusing the dog whenever he got drunk. He said he once smashed a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka over its head.

The Boston Animal Rescue League's examination found the dog had multiple scars on its head

"(Vaughn) said he does stupid things when he gets drunk," Maciel said.

Vaughn did not immediately return a telephone message on Wednesday seeking comment. He is not allowed to have any animals while his case is pending.

References

• southcoasttoday.com - Nov 24, 2010

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