Peter Minichello, 22, of West Islip, has been sentenced to four months in jail followed by five years of probation and received a lifetime ban on owning animals. This follows his guilty plea for beating his aunt’s Chihuahua-mix dog named "Pup-Pup," resulting in severe injuries that led to the dog's death.
District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney commented on the case: "What this defendant put an innocent animal through is as shocking as it is deplorable. A dog’s love is unconditional, and my heart goes out to the defendant’s aunt who lost a beloved companion."
Court documents reveal that on July 6, 2022, Minichello was left alone with Pup-Pup while his mother and aunt were at work. Upon returning home, Minichello's aunt found Pup-Pup inside its crate, immobile and covered in blood and bruises. The dog had been healthy earlier that morning. Despite seeking medical attention for Pup-Pup, the dog died days later.
The investigation showed Pup-Pup suffered multiple broken ribs, blunt force trauma to the head and body, and a penetrating wound to the elbow, ultimately succumbing to a traumatic brain injury.
On June 13, 2024, Minichello pleaded guilty to charges including Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.
Justice Horowitz sentenced Minichello on August 19, 2024. Alongside jail time and probation, Minichello received a lifetime ban from owning or possessing any animals. He was represented by Pierre Bazile, Esq.
Assistant District Attorneys Annemarie DiBlasio and Ashley Stapleton of the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team ("BEAST") prosecuted the case. Detective Alexandra Breyer and Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad conducted the investigation.