Dog pick up by neck, thrown 4 feet into air
Pittsfield , MA (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Jun 25, 2011
County: Berkshire

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Christopher Newell

A Pittsfield man accused of tossing his girlfriend's dog several feet in the air was arraigned on animal cruelty charges Thursday in Central Berkshire District Court.

Christopher Newell, 26, of Burbank Street appeared before Judge Rita S. Koenigs and pleaded not guilty to the felony charge and was released on personal recognizance.

On June 25, Newell picked up his girlfriend's Pekingese by the neck and threw it four feet into the air when the animal barked at two dogs on the other side of a fence on Spring Street, according to a Pittsfield Police report.

The 30-pound dog landed around seven feet from where it was thrown, according to a witness' statement. The dog was apparently unhurt.

Newell told police the person who called authorities was making "a big deal out of nothing."

Newell could face up to five years in state prison if convicted.

His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 29. He is being represented by attorney Alexander C. Sohn.

References

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