A Hopatcong man who authorities said was "having a bad day" is facing animal cruelty charges after he allegedly choked his dog to death.
The 18-month old Rottweiler died after being beaten and choked by Joseph Hartman, 37, Lt John Swanson said. Hartman was charged yesterday with cruelty to an animal in connection with the dog's death at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on the River Styx bridge, police said.
Hartman had taken the dog to a borough rabies clinic and was returning home when witnesses said they saw him kicking the animal and dragging it across the bridge, Swanson said.
Hartman told police the dog passes out either from heat exhaustion or from the rabies shot. Hartman, who could not be reached for comment, said he then became distraught and frustrated in his attempts to get the dog to walk, police said. He lost his temper with the animal and apparently choked it with its leash by forcing it to hold its head up while walking, Swanson said.
Although a formal autopsy was not performed, police believe the dog choked because its trachea was collapsed, Swanson said.
"We know the dog suffered what appeared to be a choking injury," Swanson said. "He (Hartman) was having bad day. He had problems and I guess he just snapped.
Swanson did not elaborate. Workers at the rabies clinic said the dog appeared to be in good shape and was well behaved during the visit, Swanson said.
But after witnesses called police to report the incident, two officers who responded to the scene found the dog dying on a sidewalk of the bridge and Hartman visibly upset, Swanson said. References« Back to Search Results
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