A Cranston man was sentenced on Wednesday to spend the next four months in prison followed by eight months home confinement after he was found guilty of beating his neighbor’s Yorkshire terrier to death with his cane. In November, a jury found Nicola Patalano, 60, guilty of felony malicious injury to Missy, a ten-pound Yorkie.
Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter also ordered Patalano not to have any contact with the dog’s owner, to take anger management classes, contribute $500 to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and perform community service. According to the Providence Journal, the total sentence was for two years with one year suspended.
On November 21, 2014, Dolores Antonelli, 80, had been walking her Yorkie when she spotted Patalano walking his larger terrier. As the Yorkie ran toward the other dog, the leash slipped out of Dolores’ hand. The dogs barked at each other, but never made physical contact. Patalano hit the tiny dog multiple times over the head and body with his wooden cane until the dog was unconscious. A witness helped Dolores pick up Missy and rush her to an emergency veterinarian’s office where she died. According to the Cranston police, Patalano stated he hit Missy to kill her.
Patalano, however denies that, and according to Turnto10News, stated Missy ran into the cane.
“The small dog accidentally ran into the cane. And the cane hit the dog also. And it died,” Patalano stated insisting he had been swiping his cane to keep Missy away from biting his own dog.
Judge Taft-Carter didn’t buy into his story before passing down her sentence, stating:
“This was a malicious beating that no creature should ever endure.”
In a statement to the court, written by Mrs. Antonelli and read by Rhode Island Attorney General Special Assistant Jonathan Burke, came the questions:
“’Why didn’t he stop? Why didn’t he just pick up his dog? Why did he have to kill my dog?’”
Rest in peace Missy. Photo of Patalano and Yorkie screenshot via Turn To 10 News.
Follow the Pet Rescue Report on Facebook.
What kind of BS story is this, the Yorkie ran into the cane? Nicola Patalano is a POS and I’m glad the Judge seemingly is taking punishing him seriously. I feel so bad for Ms Antonelli, she had to witness the brutal killing of her fur baby and no amount of punishment to this monster will ever make that better.
Another piece of trash who needs a good flogging every day. I hope he runs into many dog lovers in prison.
Finally a judge who gets it! The dog ran into his cane? Yea right the little one just kept running into his cane till she died from head trauma! Please this man is a danger to everyone! People like this should not be allowed to be part of polite society! The truth shall set him free!
That’s because animal abuse is a felony in RI. Too bad others states don’t follow.
4 months in jail is getting it?! For brutally beating this dog to the point of death I would state two years AT LEAST.
It’s better then what we have seen in past stories. The judge also included community service, anger management and to pay a $500 donation and 8 months of home confinement.
He did get 2 years. one year suspended, 4 months in prison after release 8 months of home confinement.
Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter, THANK YOU … I especially like that he has to pay something to the SPCA. My sympathies to the owner of the little Yorkie ….
pick up your dog. so many people have these extension leashes that are absolutely no good. I am so sorry for the lady, and that guy should definitely be in jail.
also take your dogs to obedience class, it will help both of you.
GOOD HE IS IN JAIL !!!! RIP SWEETIE ???????????????? YOU ARE AN VERY SWEET ANGEL ❤❤❤❤❤❤
And don’t let him out
You Fucken piece of filthy backroads asshole
Hope you get yours x 10 in jail mother Fucker
I think they meant 4 months in the county jail, but prison is what abusers should get!
You fucking fat ugly bastard I would’ve taken that cane from you and I would’ve fucking beat you’re fucking ugly head in with it
He would of got his cane all right because I would of stepped in and beat him with the dam thing
the stories of big men beating itty bitty dogs to death turns my stomach. Also sickening is the suspending of half of the sentence. Let the damn puppy killer cool his jets in prison.
I would have grabbed that f****** and shoved it up his so far he would have been choking on blood.
I said I would have grabbed that f****** cane and shoved it so far up his a** he would have been choking on blood.
I hope and pray this Douchbag gets beaten every day he is in jail!!! You Scum!!!!
Rest in peace Buddy Great great news this guy is going to jail I hope someone will kill him aswell
The sentence was NOT enough. That old POS is a danger to society.
they are wasting there time take him in the back put a fuckin bullet in the head
I agree, four months is a slap on the wrist – Nicola Patalano deserves 10 years for what he did – I hope every day of his piss poor sentence is one of intimidation, abuse, beatings and hopefully he gets that cane shoved so far up his ass he chokes on it.
This POS has a reserved space in Hell where he will burn forever for his cruelty….. let’s all hope he gets there ASAP(after dying unloved, alone, afraid and in pain)……
RIP precious furbaby. You did NOT deserve to be killed….. please look for MacKitty in Heaven and you can RIP amongst loving snuggle buddies…..