Massachusetts man pleads responsible to giving canine fentanyl and stabbing it to demise
A Massachusetts man pleaded responsible to giving his canine fentanyl earlier than stabbing the animal to demise earlier this 12 months.
Jonathan Paluzzi, 45, of Kingston, obtained a sentence of 5 to seven years in state jail after getting into a responsible plea to 2 counts every of animal cruelty and witness intimidation, the Plymouth County District Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned Friday.
Paluzzi was arrested on Jan. 31 after a 911 name to his Kingston Assortment Approach condominium. A caller reported listening to noises together with shuffling and a canine whining, adopted by silence.
Police discovered the physique of Paluzzi’s canine, a 60-pound bull-terrier combine named Brutus, with stab wounds.
Paluzzi was initially charged with animal cruelty and possession of a Class A drug.
Authorities mentioned Paluzzi had tried to have Brutus euthanized by a veterinarian, however the animal care heart refused as a result of the canine was wholesome.
He then tried to poison Brutus by giving him fentanyl. When this additionally did not kill the canine, authorities mentioned Paluzzi fatally stabbed him with a set of bent grill prongs.
Paluzzi’s dad and mom advised NBC10 Boston after his arrest that he cherished Brutus and tried to present the animal up as a result of he was attempting to enter rehab.
“They have been joined on the hip,” Paul Paluzzi mentioned Tuesday about his son and Brutus. “Anytime my son would depart to exit or have a smoke or he put down his pet food, he wouldn’t contact it till John got here again.”
His mom, Janice Paluzzi, mentioned her son needed to fight his drug habit however realized his dad and mom couldn’t deal with the canine on their very own.
“’I’m sick and uninterested in getting excessive, benefiting from you guys, and feeling like this,’ and he mentioned, ‘So I’ll must put Brutus down,’” she mentioned.
Paluzzi’s dad and mom mentioned he was excessive on fentanyl when he killed the animal, and so they’re praying he will get the assistance he wants.
Prosecutors famous that the excessive finish of Paluzzi’s sentencing vary, seven years, is the utmost penalty for animal cruelty below Massachusetts regulation.
