HAMBURG, NY — A man was arrested June 28, 2026, after police responding to a welfare check discovered a dog that had been shot.
Hamburg Police Department officers responded to a residence on W. Canyon Drive at approximately 9:30 a.m. after Crisis Services reported concerns about a resident’s deteriorating mental health.
Officers discovered a German Shepherd that had sustained a gunshot wound in the backyard.
After securing the scene, officers established communication with resident Dennis Rutkowski, who indicated through a closed door that he was armed.
Rutkowski subsequently exited the residence holding a firearm, complied with officers’ commands to safely place the weapon on the ground, and was taken into custody without incident.
Officers recovered the firearm loaded with a round chambered.
The injured dog was immediately transported to a veterinary hospital for urgent medical care.
Rutkowski admitted to shooting the dog and was arrested on charges of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Prohibited Use of a Firearm.
He was held pending arraignment.
