Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A Hamburg man has been arraigned on animal cruelty charges after prosecutors say he shot his dog over the weekend.
Dennis J. Rutkowski, 62, of Hamburg, was arraigned yesterday morning before Hamburg Town Court Justice Carl W. Morgan on one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class E felony under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law), one count of Prohibited Use of Weapons and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class A misdemeanors).
Prosecutors say Hamburg Police officers responded to a home on West Canyon Drive to conduct a welfare check Sunday morning. While outside Rutkowski’s residence, officers say they saw an injured dog in the backyard. Prosecutors say Rutkowski shot the dog in the head with a rifle, intentionally discharging the firearm near other occupied residences. The weapon was seized and Rutkowski was placed under arrest. The injured dog, an approximately 7-year-old male German Shepard named “Sky,” was taken to the Orchard Park Veterinary Hospital to be treated for a single gunshot wound to its face. “Sky” is currently in the custody and care of the SPCA Serving Erie County.
Rutkowski is scheduled to return on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was released under the supervision of the Probation Department. Our prosecutor requested that the Court impose a securing order that prohibits the defendant from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals while the case is pending prosecution. Judge Morgan imposed the temporary securing order.
Police say dog was found wounded Sunday
Police say dog was found wounded Sunday
