A West Islip man has been arrested for allegedly chaining a cinder block to his family’s dog, which he then threw into a canal, drowning the pet eight months ago, authorities said.
Suffolk County SPCA investigators charged John Shultz with felony animal cruelty. He was released without bail following his initial court appearance. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison.
Authorities said the 66-year-old suspect tied the block around the neck of family’s 7-year-old female Rottweiler mix before tossing the dog and the block into the canal behind his family’s Secatogue Lane East home last year.
An anonymous tipster reported finding the dog floating in the canal on Sept. 18. A veterinarian later confirmed that the dog fatally drowned.
Shultz is due back in court July 21.
