Kingston Man Sentenced for Fatally Stabbing His Dog

PLYMOUTH (WBSM) — A Kingston man was sentenced to serve up to seven years in state prison after pleading guilty to charges including drugging and then fatally stabbing his dog.

Jonathan Paluzzi, 45, was sentenced to five to seven years Thursday after pleading guilty in Plymouth Superior Court to two counts each of animal cruelty and intimidation of a witness.

According to a release from Kingston Police Chief Brian Holmes and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, seven years is the maximum penalty under Massachusetts law for a charge of animal cruelty.

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Paluzzi gave fentanyl to his bull terrier Brutus on January 31, 2024 with the intention of killing the dog. However, when the dog did not succumb to an overdose, he then fatally stabbed Brutus.

“Investigators determined Paluzzi had previously sought to have Brutus euthanized via veterinary means, but animal care centers refused due to the dog being in relatively good health,” the release stated.

A postmortem examination and subsequent testing at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab in Lakeville confirmed Brutus had fentanyl in his system during the incident.