Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 42-year-old Brian N. Cline of Grand Island was arraigned yesterday morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a felony.

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 Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 2:15 p.m. for further proceedings. He remains released on his own recognizance.

If convicted of the charge, Cline faces a maximum of 2 years in jail.

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.