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WARREN -- The bond for a Cortland man accused of beating his 6-month-old pit bull puppy last month was reduced during his arraignment Thursday on felony charges, including one under the state's newest animal cruelty law.
Collin J. Macaulay, 19, of Gates Street, pleaded not guilty before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Peter J. Kontos. Macaulay is charged with two counts of intimidation and one count of prohibitions concerning companion animals, violating what is commonly known as "Goddard's Law." If convicted, he could face a maximum of seven years in prison.
The case involved a report from Cortland police that Macaulay beat his female puppy and then threatened neighbors in his Gates Street apartment complex who called police to report the incident.
Kontos reduced Macaulay's bond from $155,000 to $50,000 and ordered him to have no contact with his neighbors. Macaulay's attorney, Brendan Keating, said his client plans on no longer living at the Gates Street address, as his father is making plans to find him new living quarters.
Jail records show Macaulay, who has been in jail since Nov. 14, was still in custody Thursday evening.
The police report stated the animal suffered facial abrasions, as well as swelling on her face and head and eye injuries.
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