Dog Recovering After Milford Man Was Accused Of Throwing Animal Off Apartment Balcony

MILFORD, MA — A man in Milford is facing charges after police said he threw a dog off a balcony.

Police responded to a 911 call reporting a possible disturbance at the Oak Ridge Apartments on Pheasant Circle. The caller reported that a dog may have been thrown from a balcony at around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Milford Police Department said.

When they arrived, police said that officers found a small gray dog severely injured and partially buried in a snowbank beneath an apartment. Officers immediately began arranging for medical treatment for the animal, police said.

Inside the home, officers found significant damage and, during a search, located 25-year-old Alex De Oliveira hiding in the bathroom. Police said that he appeared visibly upset and showed signs of intoxication.

A police investigation found that De Oliveira was alone and had become upset during a phone conversation with someone in Brazil. The dog belonged to the person he was on the phone with, police said.

The injured animal was taken to Tufts Animal Hospital in Grafton for treatment, where he is still recovering as of Tuesday morning, police said.

De Oliveira was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, disturbing the peace, and vandalizing property. He was later released on $5,000 bail.

“This is a senseless, inexcusable attack on a defenseless animal," said Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino, “The depravity of some individuals is beyond comprehension to those of us who consider animals part of our family.”

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