MAYS LANDING NJ – A 24-year-old Linwood man was sentenced to 364 days in jail for the murder of his four-month-old pitbull puppy.
“Following a guilty plea to third-degree animal cruelty, Kyle Blythe, 24, of Linwood was sentenced on August 24, 2022 to 364 days in the Atlantic County Jail and five years of probation following his release. Blythe was arrested and charged with animal cruelty following an investigation by the Linwood Police Department in December of 2020,” the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Police were contacted by staff at the Absecon Veterinary Hospital after Blythe’s 4-month-old Pitbull puppy, Dolce, was treated for severe head trauma and presented with numerous signs of blunt force trauma to her head and body.
“Dolce later died as a result of her injuries. After a thorough investigation, police determined that Blythe had become angry with Dolce after she chewed up some of his clothing and then beat her, causing severe brain injuries which led to her death,” police reported.
Blythe’s plea called for 364 days in county jail and a term of probation to be determined by the court at the time of sentencing.
Blythe will be required to complete community service and will not be permitted to own or co-domicile with any animals as a condition of his probation.