KINGSTON — A Kingston man was sentenced to five to seven years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges related to fatally stabbing his dog, officials announced Thursday.
Jonathan Paluzzi, 45, pleaded guilty in Plymouth Superior Court to two counts each of animal cruelty and intimidation of a witness, according to Kingston Police Chief Brian Holmes and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz.
Prosecutors said Paluzzi gave his bull terrier, Brutus, fentanyl on Jan. 31 in an attempt to kill the dog.
When the drug failed to cause an overdose, Paluzzi stabbed Brutus to death.
Investigators found Paluzzi had previously tried to have Brutus euthanized at veterinary clinics, but was refused because the dog was in good health.
A necropsy performed at the MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston confirmed the presence of fentanyl in Brutus’ system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Duffy and investigated by Kingston police and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.
Under Massachusetts law, seven years is the maximum sentence for animal cruelty.
