NYSP: Two St. Lawrence County men charged with animal cruelty following social media post

News release

OGDENSBURG, NY —  On Oct. 21, 2020, at approximately 12:26 p.m., State Police responded to several calls of a video posted on social media that showed two men binding a dog’s front legs with duct tape and then kicking the dog.

The two men were identified as 30-year-old Joshua R. Pike of Heuvelton and 22-year-old Brandon M. Hooper of Depeyster. They were both taken into custody and the dog was safely located in good health and rescued.

Pike and Hooper were both charged with one count each of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals under the Agriculture and Markets Law.

They were released with appearance tickets to appear in the Town of Oswegatchie Court.