Daniel Galea has been charged with animal cruelty, robbery, and assaulting police after a toy poodle named Bella suffered a broken jaw.
A 44-year-old man faces 14 charges after allegedly snatching, strangling, and breaking the jaw of a toy poodle on the NSW Central Coast, injuring four police officers during his arrest.
AI-generated summary
A toy poodle named Bella was allegedly snatched and attacked along the Toukley foreshore, resulting in severe injuries requiring intensive care.
A man is facing 14 charges after allegedly snatching and breaking the jaw of a toy poodle on the NSW Central Coast.
Daniel Galea has been charged with a range of offences including aggravated cruelty upon an animal, robbery, resisting and assaulting a police officer, attempting to drive under the influence of drugs and possessing a prohibited weapon.
He also stands accused of destroying or damaging property and breaching bail.
The 44-year-old has been under police guard in the Wyong Hospital but faced a bail court hearing today and will now undergo a mental health assessment.
Noraville woman Tania Gorry told the ABC she was walking her dog Bella along Toukley foreshore on September 29, when a man grabbed the dog and locked himself and the animal in a car.
"I couldn't fight him, I just couldn't," she said.
"I hung on for dear life but he got the lead out of my hands."
Man tasered as dog rescued
A NSW Police Media statement said officers tried to rescue the dog as it was being attacked.
"The man allegedly seriously injured the dog and refused to comply with police directions," the statement read.
Four officers were taken to hospital for lacerations to their arms and hands allegedly suffered during the arrest.
ICU and a broken jaw
Bella the toy poodle was taken to a veterinary clinic, needing surgery for a fractured jaw and a haematoma to her eye.
The dog spent three days in intensive care, with vets concluding she was also allegedly strangled.
Ms Gorry said her vet bill was likely to exceed $18,000.
A social media fundraising campaign saw donations reach the target in a matter of days.
"I'm so grateful to the outpouring of all the people who are showering love and support and donations," Ms Gorry said.
The 58-year-old said she was also injured during the ordeal, suffering bruising and injuries to her hand, wrist, knee, ribs and abdomen.
But Ms Gorry said her focus was solely on the dog, which is being fed through a tube as it recovers.
This morning, Bella the dog was discharged by the vet clinic and has returned home.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The accused will undergo a mental health assessment following his court hearing.
Very likely · Within days
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