Selden man beat puppy in front of 2 children, prosecutor says

A Suffolk County judge harshly criticized a Selden man Saturday, after the man was accused of throwing, punching and kicking a chocolate Labrador puppy in front of his two children.

"This kind of behavior in front of your children is something that is beyond. I would expect these children will remember this day their whole lives. ... This is just horrific and no child, no person, should have to witness this if it indeed occurred," Judge James Matthews said.

Matthews spoke at the arraignment of Daniel Keelan, 35, who faces a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony, and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Keelan appeared at the arraignment, which was held by video, handcuffed and wearing a mask. His attorney, Brian Trodden of Smithtown, entered a not-guilty plea.

Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Raquel Tisi said a witness reported seeing Keelan throwing the 4-month-old puppy, named Coco, on the stairs, off the front porch and against a wall, and repeatedly punching and kicking the dog in front of his children.

The puppy broke its leg in two places in the left hind leg. Tisi said Keelan was drunk when he was confronted by the witness during the assault on Tuesday and texted the witness the next day to apologize and ask him not to tell anyone.

Later that afternoon, Keelan took the puppy to a veterinarian and claimed the puppy was hit by a car. But the veterinarian said the injuries were not consistent to getting hit by a car and called the police, Tisi said.

The veterinarian performed surgery on Coco, installing a plate and two screws to repair the broken leg. The veterinarian also found multiple rib fractures in various stages of healing, Tisi said.

Suffolk police said Keelan was arrested at about 5:30 p.m. Friday. Tisi said police issued a warrant to seize a second 4-month-old puppy named Lucky.

Police said Coco will recover at the animal hospital for now. Lucky will be examined by veterinarians before being taken to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, police said.

Trodden said Saturday that Keelan has sole custody of his children, is employed and is a lifelong Suffolk County resident. In arguing against bail for his client, he said, "The allegations are horrific and the court is correct to be horrified, but that is not grounds to set bail."

Matthews ordered Keelan to undergo supervised release, as the charges may not be bail-eligible. Keelan was also ordered to report to probation on Monday and refrain from drinking alcohol.

Matthews also issued orders of protection for the two children and the puppies. He urged Keelan to seek help or recovery if he cannot manage alcohol.

"This is reprehensible conduct and I need you to understand the seriousness. If it happens again, you’ll face more serious consequences," Matthews said. "There’s no reason or basis to inflict harm and abuse upon an animal. If you can’t manage an animal like that, you shouldn’t have them."

With Joan Gralla

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.