Montauk man charged in assault on puppy
A dog owner's angry tirade, in which officials said he beat and kicked his 6-month-old puppy for getting out of his Montauk yard while he was shaving, was caught on videotape leading authorities to arrest him.
The alleged attack, about 9 a.m. Wednesday, was seen by one person and was captured by a video camera overlooking a nearby parking lot. The witness reported the beating to East Hampton Town Police, who obtained the video and contacted the Suffolk SPCA. That afternoon, officers went to the home of Daniel Vargus, 26, on West Lake Drive, and arrested him, said Roy Gross, the Suffolk SPCA chief.
"This arrest was made possible by the diligent work of the East Hampton Town Police, and they deserve all the credit," Gross said.
Vargus was charged with felony animal cruelty, officials said.
The dog, a purebred boxer named James, was examined by a veterinarian and was in good condition, according to Gross. He declined to say what will happen next with the dog.
Vargus admitted "drop-kicking" the puppy, Gross said in an interview. After the dog slid about 10 feet across the parking lot, Vargus chased it down and began beating it again, Gross said. The chief said Vargus told officers that he beat the puppy because it had escaped from the yard while he was shaving.
Vargus was being held yesterday by East Hampton police on $10,000 bail, Gross said.
