Yorktown man charged after fatal shooting of dog sparks community outcry
Dog owner and local residents question the use of a firearm during an incident involving two dogs near Route 118 in Yorktown.
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A Yorktown man is facing felony charges after police say he fatally shot a dog during an incident on Wednesday evening near Route 118.
The incident has shocked residents and sparked an emotional response from community members who knew the dog and its owner.
According to a police report, officers responded to a call about a dog attacking another dog around 7:30 p.m.
Investigators said the situation escalated when 61-year-old James Molloy allegedly used a firearm and shot and killed a dog owned by Matthew Steele.
Molloy pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree reckless endangerment and aggravated cruelty to animals.
Steele, an unhoused Yorktown resident, and his dog Luke, also known as Snoopy, were known throughout the community.
Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman described the incident as a tragic chain of events.
"I think it's just an unfortunate set of circumstances where Luke's leash broke. The other guy had a dog. Luke is part husky, and they're alpha dogs. He went over to the other dog and was telling him he was the boss...but I wasn't here," Lachterman said.
While he declined to appear on camera, Steele provided a written statement expressing his frustration.
"The unnecessary shooting of a dog in a scuffle with another dog is a crime. All dog owners know you don't shoot a dog because there is a disagreement between dogs or territory," Steele's statement said.
Steele told News 12 he witnessed the incident firsthand.
Residents stopped by throughout the day to offer condolences to Steele, reflecting the impact Luke had on many people in the area.
"I think it's more than a tragedy. It was all this fella had... his dog," said Yorktown resident Stephen Gardner.
Another resident, Mike Androsko, said he had never seen aggressive behavior from the dog.
"I've been in town my whole life. I've known Matt for over two years, and I've never seen any aggression from the dog, point blank," Androsko said.
Molloy appeared in court following his arrest but declined to comment on the charges against him.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 11.
