Hamburg Man Arraigned for Shooting His Dog

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Dennis J. Rutkowski, 62, of Hamburg, was arraigned yesterday morning before Hamburg Town Court Justice Carl W. Morgan on one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class E felony under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law), one count of Prohibited Use of Weapons and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class A misdemeanors).

It is alleged that on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at approximately 9:35 a.m., Town of Hamburg Police officers responded to residence on West Canyon Drive to conduct a welfare check. While outside of the defendant's residence, the officers allegedly saw an injured dog in the backyard. The defendant is accused of intentionally causing serious physical injury to his companion animal by shooting the dog in the head with a rifle. The defendant is also accused of intentionally discharging the firearm near other occupied residences. The weapon was seized and the defendant was placed under arrest. The injured dog, an approximately 7-year-old male German Shepard named "Sky," was taken to the Orchard Park Veterinary Hospital to be treated for a single gunshot wound to its face. "Sky" is currently in the custody and care of the SPCA Serving Erie County.

Rutkowski is scheduled to return on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was released under the supervision of the Probation Department. Our prosecutor requested that the Court impose a securing order that prohibits the defendant from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals while the case is pending prosecution. Judge Morgan imposed the temporary securing order.

DA Keane commends Lieutenant Scott Weyrough, Officer John Bluman, Officer William Blette and Officer Ryan Dreyer of the Town of Hamburg Police Department for their work in this investigation as well as Chief Officer Lindsey Wood and the SPCA Serving Erie County.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Animal Cruelty Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.