39°
On Tuesday, witnesses saw Jose Ortiz, 23, pinning "Brinks" to the ground and punching him in the head and dragging the dog off with the dog's legs off the ground, police said.
When bystanders approached Ortiz at West 20th Street and Newark Bay and told him to stop, Ortiz punched the dog again and told the witnesses to mind their own business, police also said.
After cell phone video of part of the incident was shown to a humane officer, a warrant was issued for Ortiz's arrest. Officers had also canvassed the area and spoken to witnesses who saw Ortiz strike the dog, police said.
He was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon and was being held at the Hudson County Jail on a charge of animal cruelty. Officers said Brinks appeared to be fearful in Ortiz's presence.
Brinks was placed in the care of the Liberty Humane Society.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Saddle Brook-Elmwood Park and receive free news updates.
