Seaside Heights man accused of beating dog to death

Seaside Heights, NJ - Authorities say they have arrested and charged a Seaside Heights man in connection with the death of a 10-year-dog.

The alleged incident was reported on August 19 shortly before 10 p.m.

Authorities say Nicholas Piccolino, 33, of Seaside Heights, allegedly beat a 10-year-old female Bichon Frise dog named "Booshu".

Booshu's owner alleged that Piccolino, who was alone with the dog in her kitchen, caused the dog's death.

Investigators say that during Piccolino's time alone with Booshu, a resident of the house upstairs heard several loud banging sounds and a dog yelping in the kitchen below. Shortly after, Piccolino notified the dog's owner that something was wrong with her dog, according to police. Booshu's owner found the dog dead on the floor of the bathroom, police say. Investigators say Piccolino claimed that Booshu "dirtied" herself in her crate and that while he was cleaning her up, he dropped her.

Booshu was transported to Red Bank Animal Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. According to authorities, a subsequent necropsy performed on Booshu found that Booshu suffered multiple blunt force injuries to her head and body which contributed to her death.

Investigators received the necropsy report yesterday and having completed witness interviews, Det. Donato presented his findings to Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Heidi Tannenbaum-Newman who approved Third Degree charges pursuant to NJSA Title 4:22-17c(1) and 4:22-17 c (3)(a) of Torment, torture, unnecessarily or cruelly beat a living animal resulting in their death.

Bail was set at $35,000 and he was remanded to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail.