Man Buries Dog Alive Because It Clashed With His New Cat: Police

NORTHBRIDGE, MA — A small dog had to be euthanized after a man buried it alive because it wasn't getting along with his cat, police said.

Richard Piquard was charged Sunday with one count of animal cruelty. He was arraigned Tuesday in Uxbridge District Court and posted $1,000 bond.

The dog, a 17-year-old Shih Tzu named Chico, had belonged Piquard's ex-girlfriend's family, according to the Milford Daily News. His ex-girlfriend was not allowed to keep the dog in her new apartment, so she had him take care of it. Piquard had the dog for about 18 months.

Piquard's ex-girlfriend called police around noon Sunday to say that she had found her dog buried alive, police said in a statement. Chico was brought to Tufts Veterinary Hospital in Grafton, where he was euthanized.

"Even in my 41 years here, I’ve never seen anything like it," Northbridge Police Chief Walter Warchol told the Daily News. "We’ve seen other forms of animal cruelty. Burying something alive is a little beyond the reach."

Piquard is ordered to have no animals in his home, allows the MSPCA to enter his home, and must have a mental health evaluation.

Northbridge Police photo