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Vicious Puppy Beating: NEWS10 Confronts the Alleged Abuser

Cases of animal abuse have been grabbing the headlines this summer, both nationally and right here in the Capital Region.

Last month, a Troy man was arrested after he allegedly kicked a kitten so hard, that it died. This week, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted on charges related to vicious dog fights. And now, a Glens Falls man is facing charges for allegedly beating a puppy so hard, that it lost some of its hearing and sight.

NEWS10's Anya Tucker has more on how the little guy, sporting an adorable, fuzzy face, is making a comeback.

At just 5-and-a-half-months old, "Brownie" is getting a second chance at life, after what police and SPCA officials say was a horrific beginning.

"He was walking in circles, he would growl - the reason probably being that he couldn't see us at that time," says Cathy Clioutier, with the SPCA of Upstate New York.

The Chow-Lab mix puppy could not see or hear, and could barely walk. Police say it is the result of being beaten at the hands of his owner's boyfriend.

"I don't think Brownie would have had a very long life," Clioutier says.

As for the man who is accused of attacking Brownie, we went to face him ourselves.

"I'm looking for Michael Flint, are you him?" Anya asks a man who opens the door at the address police gave us for the alleged abuser.

The man told Anya he was not Michael Flint, but neighbors say that it definitely is Michael Flint - the same man charged with beating Brownie. The man told Anya he is Flint's brother, and that the dog's problem is from being fed alcohol. He goes on to say Flint has been falsely accused in the past, that time of killing a cat.

"There were people who accused him of hanging a cat," the man claiming to be Flint's brother tells Anya.

Meanwhile, Brownie is now living at the SPCA in Queensbury. He will be cared for there, until he is ready to go to a good home.

"Hopefully he can have a long, happy life laying at someone's feet, and playing ball," says Clioutier.

"Would you like that?" Anya asks Brownie.

"I think he said yes," Clioutier says, after Brownie gives a cheerful yelp.

It was a neighbor's call to police that likely saved Brownie's life - and the SPCA encourages anyone who suspects animal abuse, to come forward.