Nassau Man Pleads Guilty To Beating Dog With Shovel

A Levittown man pleaded guilty Friday morning to animal cruelty charges related to beating his dog with a shovel in Dec. 2016. The dog, named Bella, was so severely beaten that it had to be euthanized.

Michael Gallagher, 57, pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony. He is due back in court on Nov. 20, and the district attorney is recommending the maximum two-year jail sentence and a 20-year ban on owning an animal.

"My office takes crimes against animals extremely seriously because we know those who abuse animals often harm people too," said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. "The depravity shown by this defendant toward an innocent and defenseless dog is sickening and I am grateful to our animal crimes prosecutors for holding him accountable."

On Dec. 23, 2016 at approximately 3 p.m., Gallagher placed his family dog, Bella, an 11-year-old female 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 called 911 and confronted Gallagher, who then stopped the beating.

Witnesses realized that Bella was still alive after seeing her head move slightly. At around that time, Gallagher'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 Police Department