Syracuse police say man dropped girlfriend's dog from fourth-floor apartment window

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse police have charged a man for allegedly throwing a dog Friday from the fourth floor of an apartment building at 1809 E. Fayette St. Ricky Coleman, 20, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, and criminal trespass in connection with the incident, Sgt. Tom Connellan said. “This was the result of a domestic dispute,...

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse police have charged a man for allegedly throwing a dog Friday from the fourth floor of an apartment building at 1809 E. Fayette St. Ricky Coleman, 20, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, and criminal trespass in connection with the incident, Sgt. Tom Connellan said. “This was the result of a domestic dispute, he and his girlfriend, and he ended up throwing her dog out the fourth-floor window,” Connellan said. The incident was witnessed about 7:30 a.m. Friday by construction workers. Coleman was charged later that day and arraigned by City Judge James Cecile, who set bail and ordered Coleman held at the Justice Center Jail on $10,000 bail pending a preliminary hearing Wednesday, jail officials said. He remained in custody as of noon today, they said.

The dog, a female pit bull mix about a year old, is in stable condition at DeWitt Animal Hospital, recovering from broken bones and internal injuries.

A hospital official said the dog, dubbed “Peggy” by staff, needs surgery on broken front and back legs by a board certified veterinary orthopedist to avoid needing to amputate the rear leg. The operation alone is expected to cost $3,000, she said.

The hospital is accepting donations toward Peggy's surgery and care; call 446-1200 or walk into the hospital, 5620 Thompson Road, DeWitt, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to donate. Checks should be made out to DeWitt Animal Hospital with “Donation for Peggy” in the memo portion, the official said.