Dog named Peru stabbed to death with barbecue fork; 2 arrested on felony charges
Deputies arrested Ryan M. Mann, 25, and Virginia A. Sanders, 30, both of Monticello, on Tuesday.
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A Monticello couple is facing felony animal cruelty charges after investigators say a dog was stabbed several times in the neck with a barbecue fork and buried in a shallow grave in Sullivan County.
The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office says Child Protective Services contacted deputies Nov. 5 with information that a dog had been stabbed to death.
Deputies went to a home on Airport Road in the Town of Bethel the following day and found the dog's body buried in a shallow grave.
Investigators say a necropsy determined the pit bull mix, named Peru, had been stabbed several times in the neck with a fork from a barbecue grill. The cause of death was ruled asphyxiation.
Deputies arrested Ryan M. Mann, 25, and Virginia A. Sanders, 30, both of Monticello, on Tuesday. They are charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty and tampering with evidence, along with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a minor.
Both were arraigned in Thompson Town Court and released under New York's bail laws pending a future court appearance.
Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff says deputies have specialized training and work closely with the District Attorney's Office to prosecute animal cruelty cases.
