SPCA: Montauk Man Caught on Camera Beating Puppy

A Montauk man has been arrested on a felony animal cruelty charge.

According to the Suffolk County SPCA, Daniel L. Vargas, 26, is accused of beating and abusing his 6-month-old boxer puppy.

SPCA detectives arrested Vargas after receiving a call on Wednesday night from .

In a statement, SPCA Chief Roy Gross said, "Vargas admitted to 'drop kicking; the puppy and then after it slid approximately 10 feet across the ground, he chased it down and began beating it again" in a parking lot near his house on West Lake Drive.

A witness observed the beating and then called police, Gross said. Police viewed video surveillance and found the incident had been captured on camera.

"Vargas said that he did this because the puppy got out of the yard at about 9 a.m. yesterday while he was shaving," Gross said.

The boxer appears to have suffered no major injuries, like broken bones or internal injuries, but Gross said Vargas was charged with one count of aggravated animal abuse based on intent to cause extreme physical pain. "This dog is very lucky," Gross said.

The dog, named James, is now in good hands, according to Gross, who said Vargus signed over the rights to the dog.

Vargas had adopted the purebred boxer, Gross said, though he declined to say from where. "This dog now needs a third chance," he said, adding that anyone interested in the dog can call the SPCA. However, the dog is not yet available for adoption.

Vargas faces up to two years in prison.

Gross said that Vargas is being held on $10,000 cash bail. He is due back in court on June 14.

A correction has been made to the spelling of the defendant's last name. It is Vargas, not Vargus, as had been recorded by the Suffolk SPCA.