'Pure hell': Kingston man accused of killing dog is sent for an evaluation

KINGSTON − A Kingston man accused of fatally stabbing his dog after trying to poison it was sent for an evaluation after a brief appearance in Plymouth District Court on Thursday, WCVB reported.

Jonathan Paluzzi, 44, was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and possession of fentanyl, police said.

Police said Paluzzi tried to have his dog, a 6-year-old pure-bred English bull terrier named Brutus, euthanized, but no veterinary clinic would agree because the dog was healthy. He then stabbed the dog with grill prongs after poisoning it with fentanyl failed, police said.

Paluzzi's parents saw the attack, and said their son would never hurt his dog if he was in his right mind, WCVB reported.

"Oh my God. He loved the dog, loved the dog," Paluzzi's father, Paul, said.

"He idolized the dog," mother Janice Paluzzi said.

They said their son struggled with addiction from a young age and they tried multiple times to get him help.

"It’s just so heartbreaking for the parents, never mind the person that’s going through this," Janice Paluzzi said.

"Unless you’ve gone through it or know someone who’s an addict, it’s pure hell," Paul Paluzzi said. "It is."Paluzzi's initial court appearance was brief because the judge sent him for an evaluation for competency or criminal responsibility. Paluzzi was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital.

"His state of mind right now is he's nearly catatonic. There's obviously something going on that he needs to be evaluated by professionals for," said defense attorney Krysten Condon.

Kingston police were called to The Point at Kingston at about 1 p.m. Wednesday after a 911 caller reported sounds of shuffling, crying, yelling, a dog whining and someone saying what sounded like "Don't touch me!" coming from an apartment, followed by silence.

Officers found the 60-pound dog fatally stabbed.

Paluzzi's parents said he couldn't anyone who would take Brutus or euthanize him.

"He wanted to take Brutus and have him put down so he could get into detox," Janice Paluzzi said.

"We couldn’t handle him," Paul Paluzzi said.

Police said Paluzzi got fentanyl Tuesday night and tried to poison Brutus with the fentanyl Wednesday afternoon. When that didn't work, Paluzzi fatally stabbed the dog before leaving the apartment to smoke a cigarette, police said. When Paluzzi returned to the apartment, he was taken into custody.

Paluzzi's parents said leaving the dog at a shelter was not an option.

"We tried, but the shelter said they would have someone else take him. We couldn’t chance that because what if Brutus did something to that owner or their child?" Janice Paluzzi said. "How could I live with myself for that?"

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Paluzzi's parents said they hope their son gets the help he needs.

"I’m hoping he goes to a mental institution because jail is a waste of time for any addict," Paul Paluzzi said.

Kingston police said the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other agencies are involved in the investigation.

Paluzzi is due to return to court Feb. 16.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Man accused of killing dog has drug disorder, needs help, parents say