An Allegany County man was being held on $40,000 bond after his arrest by New York State Police June 29 on felony charges alleging he restrained a victim to a chair for several hours while making him watch his dog get burned alive in a barrel.
Amity-based New York State Police arrested Jeremy J. Vankuren, 39, of Fillmore on Thursday, charging him with felony counts of second-degree kidnapping and felony aggravated animal cruelty, as well as misdemeanor counts of third-degree menacing, torturing, injuring or failure to provide sustenance to an animal and obstruction of government administration.
Amity-based troopers said an investigation was initiated after State Police received a report of possible animal cruelty on June 19 at Vankuren’s residence on county Route 23 in the town of Hume.
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According to State Police investigators, Vankuren forcefully restrained a 28-year-old victim to a chair outside the residence, holding him against his will for several hours. Vankuren then allegedly took his red-nosed pit bull and put it into a burning barrel in front of the victim.
Acting on a search warrant for Vankuren’s residence, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation said it recovered the dog’s remains and “other items” related to the incident.
State Police said the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office and the SPCA Serving Allegany County assisted in the investigation, which is ongoing.
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Officials said Vankuren was committed to the Allegany County jail in Belmont with bail set at $20,000 cash or the $40,000 bond. He is due to appear in court on July 13.
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