Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Kyle J. Ribarich of Hamburg was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to 3 years of probation.

On November 13, 2021, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the defendant intentionally caused injuries to a 4-month-old Rottweiler puppy under his care. The defendant threw the dog to the ground and hit the dog with his hand and closed fist several times. The incident occurred inside of a home in the Town of Hamburg. The dog was taken to a veterinarian by the owner and underwent surgery for a broken leg.

Ribarich pleaded guilty to one count of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals (Class “A” misdemeanor under New York Agriculture and Markets Law), the highest sustainable charge, on May 20, 2022.

The defendant will also not be able to own an animal for the next three years and a final order of protection was issued for the owner of the injured dog and her daughter.

DA Flynn commends Special Agent William Heine of the SPCA Serving Erie County for his work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Garvey of the Animal Cruelty Unit.