Two years in jail for attack on small dog
BALLSTON SPA — A Saratoga Springs man who beat and killed a 29-pound Boston terrier with a hammer was sentenced to two years in Saratoga County jail, the maximum allowed, District Attorney Karen Heggen said.
A jury found Aaron Brinkley, 31, guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals for the attack on Riko on Oct. 6, 2017. Brinkley hit his dog several times, Heggen said. When the dog tried to fend Brinkley off by biting his thumb, Brinkley beat him with the hammer, causing injuries including fractured teeth and internal trauma.
Heggen said when Saratoga County Judge James Murphy III imposed the sentence he said Brinkley demonstrated “complete and utter disregard for life.” Murphy also banned him from owning any animals for 50 years.
“This is another tragic case where an animal is subjected to continuous, cruel and substantial violence, resulting in death ... while no sentence can ever bring back Riko, we believe the sentence today is a just result,” Heggen said.