NORTH HAVEN — A 25-year-old North Haven man was arrested Sept. 14 on animal cruelty charges after police discovered alleged abuse of a household dog during an unrelated investigation.
Giovanni Whitmore was charged with two counts of animal cruelty and second-degree threatening, according to the North Haven Police Department.
Police said Whitmore’s behavior toward the dog escalated from discipline to violence and aggression.
The alleged abuse included striking the dog with closed fists on the body, neck and head, police said.
Police also allege the dog was forced to stand on her hind legs for hours at a time.
North Haven Animal Control consulted on the case and agreed the alleged behavior was beyond reasonable training or discipline standards, police said.
The dog has been removed from the residence.
Officers served Risk Protection Orders and Risk Protection Warrants when they arrested Whitmore.
He is being held on $150,000 bond.
