Man charged after snatching toy poodle and breaking its jaw
Daniel Galea, 44, faces 14 charges including animal cruelty. He allegedly attacked toy poodle Bella on 29 September.
A man grabbed toy poodle Bella from her owner's hands at Toukley foreshore. The man locked himself and the dog in a car.
There he allegedly attacked the animal. Bella suffered a fractured jaw, eye bruising and strangulation injuries.
She needed surgery. The dog spent three days in intensive care and was discharged this week.
Tania Gorry, 58, was injured trying to stop the attack. She suffered bruising and injuries to her hand, wrist, ribs and abdomen.
Galea faces charges including aggravated cruelty to an animal, robbery, assaulting police and possessing a prohibited weapon. Four police officers were injured during his arrest.
Galea will undergo a mental health assessment. A social media fundraising campaign raised enough money in days to cover Bella's vet bills.
- 29 September
- Attack date
- 14 charges
- Charges filed
- $18,000
- Vet bill
- Toukley foreshore, NSW Central Coast
- Location
Why it mattersA violent attack on a pet shows the risks people face when walking dogs in public. It also shows the high cost of emergency vet care for serious injuries.
AustraliaThe incident occurred on the NSW Central Coast; community members rallied to support a local resident facing substantial medical bills for her injured dog.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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