MIDDLE ISLAND, NY — The investigation into the case of a Middle Island man, who held his dog down and repeatedly punched it last Spring, is ongoing, the Suffolk Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Monday.

In April 2025, the man repeatedly punched his male, white four-year-old German Shepherd, "Bennie," intermittently with a closed fist several times while holding the animal down on the ground, as it struggled to get up, yelping in pain, Chief Roy Gross said.

The dog appears to be okay, according to Gross.

He declined to release further details about the case.

The man, 49, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty and was issued a Field Appearance Ticket returnable to First District Court in Central Islip on Feb. 2.

It was not immediately clear if the man has legal representation.

The SPCA asks anyone who witnesses animal cruelty or neglect in the county to contact 631-382-7722.

This story will be updated. Check back later.

Source: https://patch.com/new-york/shirley-mastic/middle-island-man-held-dog-down-repeatedly-punched-it-suffolk-spca