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WEBVTT A PORTSMOUTH MAN IS FACING MISDEMEANOR ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES AFTER POLICE SAY HE WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA ABUSING A DOG HE WAS TAKING CARE OF. WE DO WANT TO WARN YOU--THE VIDEO MAY BE DISTURBING. WMUR’S TIM CALLERY HAS THE STORY FROM PORTSMOUTH. CLIP:1115 :28;31- :28;40"WELL THIS IS A DIFFICULT CASE EVEN FOR THE PORTSMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TONIGHT THE ALLEGED SUSPECT IS FACING SEVERAL ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES." THIS IS THE VIDEO THAT LED TO THE ARREST OF 26- YEAR-OLD DAVID DANTINO. PORTSMOUTH POLICE SAY DANTINO WAS WALKING A 3-YEAR- OLD AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG NAMED KNOX WHEN SOMEONE NEARBY NOTICED HE APPEARED TO BE ABUSING THE DOG. THAT PERSON THEN TOOK OUT THEIR PHONE AND STARTED RECORDING. CLIP:1105 :20;46- :20;53 "THE FOOTAGE WAS FORWARDED TO THE PORTSMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE EXAMINED IT, LOOKED AT IT AND FOUND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF CRIMES SERGEANT KUFFER KALTENBORN SAYS THE VIDEO SHOWS DANTINO AND KNOX STANDING BY THE ROAD WHEN DANTINO JERKS KNOX BACK...THE FORCE SO STRONGC IT LIFTS THE DOG IN THE AIR. CLIP:1105 :22;12- :22;22 "AND IN ANOTHER INCIDENTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE MR. DANTINO KICK THE DOG AND THE DOG ACTUALLY MOVED FROM THE IMPACT." THE INCIDENT HAPPENED LA MONTH ON ANNE AVENUE. DANTINO IS NOT THE DOG’S OWNER. CLIP:1105 :21;34- :21;45 "ALLEGEDLY HE WAS TRAINING THE ANIMAL TO HELP THE ANIMAL ADJUST TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. WHAT WE REVIEWED AND WHAT WE SAW ON THE VIDEO WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT THAN THAT DANTINO WAS RELEASED ON PERSONAL RECOGNIZANCE BAIL. HE COULD NOT BE REACHED FOR COMMENT SUNDAY NIGHT. SGT. KALTENBORN CREDITS THE WITNESS FOR COMING FORWARD. CLIP:1105 :23;14- :23;20 "THE VIDEO FOOTAGE IS VERY, VERY DISCONCERTING. WHAT WE CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE IS ANYONE THAT SEES ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO REPORT IT." CLIP:1116 :28;46- :28;55 "AND DANTINO WILL FACE ARRAIGNMENT ON MARCH 4TH IN PORTSMOUTH DISTRICT COURT. REPORTING IN PORTSMOUTH, I’M TIM CALLERY WMUR NEWS NINE."

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A Portsmouth man is facing animal cruelty charges after police said he was caught on camera abusing a dog he was taking care of.Portsmouth police said a witness recorded "quite disturbing" video of David Dantino, 26, abusing a 3-year-old Australian cattle dog named Knox on Dec. 31 as they walked along Anne Avenue."The footage was forwarded to the Portsmouth Police Department. We examined it, looked at it and found there was evidence of crimes," said Portsmouth Police Sgt. Kuffer Kaltenborn.Kaltenborn said the video shows Dantino and Knox standing by the road when Dantino jerks the dog back by a neck leash. The force was so strong that it lifted the dog in the air.Police said the video also showed Dantino kicking Knox in the ribs."And in another incident, you can see Mr. Dantino kick the dog, and the dog actually moved from the impact," Kaltenborn said.A third video showed Dantino repeatedly jerking the dog's leash, causing the animal's neck to snap sideways several times, police said.Police said Dantino is not the dog's owner and that the dog belongs to an associate of Dantino's."Allegedly, he was training the animal to help the animal adjust to traffic conditions. What we reviewed and what we saw on the video was substantially different than that," Kaltenborn said.Dantino was arrested and charged with three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.He was released on a personal recognizance bail and is scheduled for arraignment on March 4 in Portsmouth.Kaltenborn credits the witness for coming forward."The video footage is very, very disconcerting. What we certainly encourage is anyone that sees anything like this to report it," he said.Anyone who witnesses or suspects animal abuse or neglect is asked to call their local law enforcement agency or 911. Dantino could not be reached for comment Sunday night.