Judge Increases Accused Puppy-Killer's Bail: Report

WAYNE, N.J. – The township man accused of assaulting his fiancée and killing her puppy last month was ordered held on $100,000 bail Tuesday, The Record reported.

John Varcadipone, 24, was arrested last month following a domestic dispute during which he allegedly beat her 7-month-old Husky to death with a chair and was violent with his fiancée because she woke him up late for work, police said.

Superior Court Judge Marilyn Clark increased Varcadipone’s bail, ruling that his history of substance abuse, together with the five-year prison term he faces if convicted of the charges, makes him a flight risk, the report said.

Related: Wayne Man Beat Puppy To Death

Varcadipone, 24, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, making threats, and animal cruelty.

Authorities said the night before the dog was killed, Varcadipone wanted his fiancée to get him drugs and became very upset when she couldn’t. Authorities allegedly punched her and would have assaulted her more, but his brother and another man in the house at the time held him back. He also threw his brother to the floor, authorities said.

The next morning, Varcadipone got upset at his fiancée for waking him up for work, went into the kitchen, and beat the dog to death with a chair, authorities said. He then grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head against the wall and bit her ear, authorities said.

Related: Fiancée Of Alleged Wayne Dog-Killer Said The Dog Attacked Him

The dog allegedly previously bit Varcadipone and he hit the dog to defend himself when it reportedly attacked him, his attorney Kenyatta Stewart told The Record.

Clark also ordered Varcadipone be monitored with a GPS ankle bracelet if released on bail and prohibited him from making contact with his fiancée or brother, the report said.

John Varcadipone, 24/Wayne Police Department