BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A Long Island man has been indicted for allegedly strangling and killing a dog while on a FaceTime video call with his family.
Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said Thursday that on May 9, the suspect, 23-year-old Keenan Castro of Brentwood, found a Chihuahua-Dachshund mix, named Donny, that had run away from a home in Central Islip.
Castro kept the dog and then allegedly strangled the animal on June 1 while FaceTiming with four relatives, including three children.
Sini said Castro also repeatedly threatened his family not to report the incident to police.
In one instance, he allegedly sent a text message to one of his relatives saying "that he would strangle her like he did the dog," according to prosecutors.
The dog's remains were found at a waste transfer facility in Holbrook on June 4.
A preliminary necropsy revealed manual strangulation, skull fracture and brain contusions as contributing factors to the cause of death.
"This is an unfortunate case, but we will hold this defendant accountable and we will get justice on behalf of all the victims, including the dog and its owner," District Attorney Sini said.
"Castro's inhumane and appalling actions will have a lasting impact on the families involved," Suffolk County Acting Police Commissioner Stuart Cameron said. "I would like to commend the Third Squad detectives who investigated this case and apprehended the suspect as well as members of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office for furthering the investigation and ensuring Castro faces the consequences for his actions."
Castro is charged with criminal mischief, aggravated cruelty to animals, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, intimidating a victim or witness, overdriving, torturing or injuring animals, aggravated harassment and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
If convicted of the top count, he faces up to seven years in prison.
Castro was remanded pending results of a competency evaluation and is due back in court on July 12.