Man Pleads Guilty To Animal Cruelty In Dog’s Death

A former Middletown Township man struck a deal with prosecutors in a case that followed an investigation into a dog’s death.

Alfino Santangelo Jr., 44, of West Chester, Chester County, pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor cruelty to an animal and neglect of an animal. Prosecutors did not move forward on a felony count of aggravated cruelty to an animal charge.

Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Judge Charissa Liller sentenced Santangelo to three years of probation, anger management classes, a mental health evaluation, and to take medications as directed. She also ordered him to not consume illicit drugs, maintain full-time employment, and barred him from owning a pet or living in a home where someone has one.

Middletown Township police and the Bucks County SPCA police filed charges in September 2022 after 1-year-old female boxer mix named Porcha died.

A necropsy, a post-mortem examination of an animal, performed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg found the dog died of shock from trauma that appeared to suggest a “non-accidental injury.” The lab found blunt force trauma injuries and healing rib fractures, suggesting a past traumatic event, police said.

Vincent Caputo, Santangelo’s attorney, said his client admitted to kicking the dog and not taking it the the veterinarian. He added that his client apologized to the court and had remorse.

“He had a lot going on in his life at the time,” Caputo said, noting the family was dealing with a loss leading up to the dog’s death.

Authorities opened the investigation into the death of the dog on July 13, 2022, after staff from BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital raised concerns over bruising on the dog’s body.

The pet’s owner suspected her husband of abuse, prompting a police detective to secure a search warrant for the dog’s remains for a necropsy, according to court papers.

Santangelo later admitted to kicking the dog with steel-toed boots as a form of discipline after the animal had defecated in the family’s Middletown Township home, police said.

Santangelo, who admitted to previous anger issues, told investigators the dog had a history of bloody diarrhea, authorities said.

Veterinary records indicated the dog was healthy prior to being in the Santangelo’s care, authorities said.

If you witness or suspect animal cruelty or neglect, the Bucks County SPCA has a form online and a tip line at 844-SPCA-TIP (844-772-2847). Tipsters can remain anonymous.

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