15-05-2025
Man accused of fatally beating dog in Ontario County
An Ontario County man has been accused of fatally beating his dog, according to the Ontario County Sheriff's Office.
James R. Kinney, 66, of Farmington was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, in connection with the April 17 death of his 2-1/2-month-old puppy Goose, a female Collie mix, deputies said. Kinney called 911 that day to report that a neighbor had poisoned his dog and that his puppy was dead on his kitchen floor. Deputies and the Ontario County Humane Society responded to his home.
The puppy was taken for a necropsy at Animal Health Diagnostic Lab at Cornell University in Ithaca, where results showed that Goose died from blunt force trauma to her rib cage, which lacerated her liver, deputies said. There were no signs of poisoning.
Witnesses also told authorities that they saw Kinney dragging his puppy by her leash, causing her to scream, deputies said.
Two cats were seized from Kinney's home as well. Both cats are being evaluated at the animal shelter, deputies said.
Kinney is scheduled to answer the charge in Farmington Town Court at a later date.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: James Kinney accused of fatally beating dog in Ontario County NY
