'No Excuse For This': Suffolk Man Fatally Injured Dog With Kick: SPCA

HOLBROOK, NY — A Holbrook man kicked a dog, fatally injuring the animal, and threatened its owner at his home last month, the Suffolk Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

A local animal hospital reported the suspicious death of a dog to the Suffolk County Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Dec. 20, sparking an investigation that included a forensic necropsy at Cornell University, SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.

The necropsy found that 11-year-old "Jager" suffered blunt force trauma, causing him to die shortly after, according to Gross. He could not elaborate further due to the investigation.

"We are taking this very seriously," he said. "There is no excuse for this."

Investigators determined Scott Walker kicked the dog at his Dolphin Lane home, causing the injuries leading to the dog’s death, and also threatened the dog’s owner, another resident of the home, Gross said.

Walker, 44, was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals animal cruelty, criminal mischief, second-degree aggravated harassment, and third-degree coercion.

If convicted, Walker could go to prison for several years on the top felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, Gross said.

He was held overnight at the 6th Precinct in Selden and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Jan. 12.