State Police investigation results in arrest after aggravated animal cruelty case involving a deceased dog in Salisbury

New York – State Police say a month-long investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Herkimer County man on a felony animal cruelty charge. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation at SP Herkimer announced that on December 10, 2025, troopers arrested 27-year-old Dillon G. Ortlieb of Herkimer, NY, following an incident first reported in late October.

According to officials, the case began on October 25, 2025, when troopers were called to a residence on Mechanic Street in the town of Salisbury for what was initially described as a domestic dispute. Patrols arrived at approximately 9:17 p.m. and found a troubling situation involving a family pet. Investigators later determined that the dog involved was a 3-year-old female Maltese Yorkshire Terrier.

State Police say the verbal dispute between Ortlieb and the dog’s owner prompted the owner to leave the home temporarily. When the owner returned, the dog was found unresponsive inside its kennel. Troopers reported that the scene raised immediate concerns, leading them to begin a deeper investigation into what had occurred inside the home that evening.

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The dog was transported to the Cornell University Animal Hospital, where a necropsy was performed. Medical findings indicated injuries consistent with significant physical trauma. Those results played a central role in the case built by investigators over the following weeks.

After reviewing evidence and interviews, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation charged Ortlieb with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class E felony under New York State law. The charge is among the most serious animal cruelty offenses in the state, reserved for cases involving severe harm or fatal injury to an animal.

Ortlieb was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Salisbury Court on December 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The investigation by State Police remains ongoing, and no additional details about potential further charges have been released.

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The incident has drawn concern in the local community, where residents often look to State Police for updates in cases involving domestic disputes and the treatment of animals. Authorities emphasized that the arrest resulted from careful investigative work and the cooperation of veterinary specialists who assisted in determining the cause of the dog’s death.

State Police have not released further information about the individuals involved in the dispute, but they say they will continue to follow the case as it progresses through the court system.