Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 41-year-old Brian N. Cline of Grand Island has been arraigned before Grand Island Town Justice Mark S. Nemeth on one count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class “E” felony, and one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a felony. He was arraigned on March 15, 2020.

It is alleged that on March 12, 2020, at approximately 11:30 p.m., the defendant hit and kicked a toy poodle on Baseline Road on Grand Island. The owner found the dog deceased in its crate the following day.

Cline is scheduled to return on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. for further proceedings. He was released on his own recognizance.

If convicted on all charges, Cline faces a maximum of 4 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rachel Kranitz McPhee of the DA’s Animal Cruelty Unit.

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