Long Island Man Sentenced For Beating Dog With Shovel

A Levittown man was sentenced to four months in jail and five years probation for beating his dog with a shovel in December 2016. He also signed a 20-year ban on owning or harboring animals and consent to spot checks of his residence for compliance.

Michael Gallagher, 57, pleaded guilty as charged on Sept. 15 to aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony.

"This defendant admitted to beating his dog, Bella, with a shovel and attempting to strangle her with a zip tie," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. "These types of inhumane actions against animals are heinous and unjustifiable, and should serve as a rallying cry for the state to finally enhance penalties for those convicted of felony animal abuse."

On Dec. 23, 2016 at approximately 3 p.m., Gallagher placed his family dog, Bella, an 11-year-old Shepherd mix, inside a black plastic bag and was seen by witnesses repeatedly striking the dog in the head with a metal shovel. He was also seen placing a zip tie around the dog’s neck. Neighbors then called 911 and confronted Gallagher, who stopped the beating.

Immediately following the incident, witnesses realized that Bella was still alive after seeing her head move slightly. At around that time, the defendant’s wife arrived home and immediately cut the zip tie from the dog’s neck and rushed her to East Village Green Animal Hospital. The veterinarian determined that the injuries, which included blood and tissue coming out of her head, were fatal, and euthanized the dog to prevent any further pain and suffering.

Photo: Nassau County District Attorney's Office