UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Utica Police have rescued a 10 week-old pitt bull after its owner allegedly abused the animal. Investigators have charged Dennis Van Buren of Columbus Street with animal cruelty. Van Buren is accused of picking the puppy up by its legs and throwing it against a wall, knocking it unconscious. The force caused severe head trauma and fractured the puppy's right leg. The dog was rushed to Burrstone Animal Hospital where it is in critical condition and having seizures. Van Buren was taken into custody at his home Friday afternoon. He has been sent to the Oneida County Jail on $500 bail. Animal cruelty is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and/or one year in jail. We the undersigned believe that Dennis Van Buren of Utica should be charged with Felony Animal Cruelty as stated by New York State Consolidated Laws Article 26, Chapter 353 & 353-a New York http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/cl=4&a=58 New York State Consolidated Laws Article 26, Chapter 353 & 353-a Cruelty to animals is defined as: âoverdrives, overloads, tortures or cruelly beats or unjustifiably injures, maims, mutilates or kills any animal, whether wild or tame, and whether belonging to himself or to another, or deprives any animal of necessary sustenance, food or drink, or neglects or refuses to furnish it such sustenance or drink, or causes, procures or permitsâ such acts. This is a Misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. Aggravated cruelty to animals is defined as: âwith no justifiable purpose, he or she intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to a companion animal with aggravated cruelty. For purposes of this section, "aggravated cruelty" shall mean conduct which: is intended to cause extreme physical pain; or is done or carried out in an especially depraved or sadistic manner.â This is a Felony punishable with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years. Exemptions are made for research, hunting, trapping, or fishing, the dispatch of rabid or diseased animals, veterinary care, or the dispatch of animals posing a threat to human safety or other animals.