Beaver County authorities recently arrested Aliquippa resident Brandon Miller, 24, on charges that include a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor animal neglect after a 10-month-old pitbull puppy named "Ace" died under his care. According to CBS News, police were first made aware of the situation on March 7, when an emergency veterinary hospital reported treating the critically injured puppy that ultimately did not survive.
The investigation led by Aliquippa Police pinpointed Miller as a suspect following an incident during which he allegedly threw the puppy against a window twice during an altercation with his girlfriend, causing the puppy to experience seizures. An absent person learned of the fight and transported the puppy to the vet hospital. As reported by Times Online, marks along the gums and lips of "Ace" were "not consistent with post-mortem bruising," indicating the traumatic nature of the injuries.
Emergency veterinary staff confirmed the dog's cause of death was consistent with injuries sustained from such an incident.
Upon arrest, Miller was taken into custody by Chippewa Township Police and detained at the Beaver County Jail. His arrest is part of a string of recent alleged animal cruelty cases in the Pittsburgh area, including an incident involving abandoned puppies in West Virginia and another involving a puppy found in a portable toilet on Christmas, as detailed by CBS News.
