Syracuse man held on felony animal cruelty charge
View full sizeRachel Dean, of Syracuse, with Rockford at Fruit Valley Veterinary Clinic in Oswego shortly after he was treated.Central New York SPCA investigators have arrested a Syracuse man in connection with a puppy whose jaw was nearly severed.
Tuesday, SPCA executive director Paul Morgan and his investigative team—who have law enforcement authority — arrested Reginald J. Stepp, 35, at his 1227 Milton Ave. home. He is being held at the Justice Center on a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals and two misdemeanors — cruelty to animals and failure to provide medical care for an animal.
The 6- to 8-month-old pit bull named Rockford was found in the back of Stepp’s van on June 29 by Rachel Dean, a manager at Absolute Auto and Audio in Fulton.
Thursday, the puppy had surgery at Cornell University Hospital for Animals and is doing fine, said the Fruit Valley Veterinary Clinic in Oswego where Rockford was first taken after he was found. Donations to help with Rockford’s medical expenses have come from Arizona, California and soldiers fighting in Iraq, said the clinic.
Rockford will live with Dean after he leaves Cornell.
Contact Fernando Alfonso III can be reached at falfonso@syracuse.com or 470- 6078.