Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Dennis J. Rutkowski, 62, of Hamburg, pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens to one count of Attempted Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class A misdemeanor under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class A misdemeanor).
On Sunday, June 28, 2026, at approximately 9:35 a.m., Town of Hamburg Police officers responded to residence on West Canyon Drive to conduct a welfare check. While outside of the Rutwkoskis residence, the officers saw an injured dog in the backyard.
Prosecutors say Rutkowski shot the dog in the head with a rifle. The weapon was seized and he was arrested. 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. The dog was placed in the custody of the SPCA Serving Erie County. “Sky,” who has since been adopted by a new owner, continues to recover from the injury.
Rutkowski faces a maximum of 364 days in jail when he is sentenced on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. He remains released under the supervision of the Probation Department. At his arraignment in Hamburg Town Court, Judge Carl Morgan imposed a temporary securing order that prohibits Rutkowski from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals while the case is pending prosecution.
Dennis Rutkowski faces up to 364 days in prison when sentenced
Dennis Rutkowski faces up to 364 days in prison when sentenced
