Police: Dutchess County Man Punches Yorkie Several Times Before Throwing the Dog

A Pleasant Valley man allegedly punched a dog several times, then attacked the dog's owner. 

On June 9th, 2017, Trooper were dispatched to a Pleasant Valley motel for a reported harassment complaint.

An initial investigation revealed that there was an altercation between two neighbors. According to a press release, Thomas W. Lyons, 41 of Pleasant Valley punched a Yorkshire Terrier in the chest several times before he threw the dog.

Chip, the Yorkie suffered a broken rib.

When the dog's owner confronted Lyons, he was struck in the face, chest, stomach and shoulder, causing him injury.

Lyons was charged with Assault in the 2^nd Degree, a Class D Felony, and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class E Felony.

The defendant was arraigned in the Village of Wappingers Court and remanded to Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, or $100,000 bond.

Lyons is due to appear in Pleasant Valley Court next week.