Puppy tossed from hotel balcony

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A 3-month-old puppy is recovering after being tossed off of a second floor balcony, and the man accused of throwing him is facing animal cruelty charges.

On April 4, officers responded to the Econo Lodge located in the 3600 block of Bonney Road of Virginia Beach after receiving a call about animal cruelty, Wayne Gilbert with the Virginia Beach Police Department said.

Upon arrival, they found the Havanese puppy in critical condition and were told he was thrown from a balcony on the second floor. According to investigators, a man and woman were arguing and at some point during the argument, the man grabbed the puppy from the female’s arms and threw it over the balcony.

The man was identified as 22-year-old Enrico C. Farruggio of Virginia Beach.

Gilbert said this incident wasn’t the first time Farruggio has thrown a dog and injured it. On March 21, Farruggio allegedly threw a 5-year-old Havanese dog from a car in the 4200 block of Virginia Beach Boulevard.

The dog was transported to a local veterinary hospital where its owners had it euthanized.

Farruggio has been arrested and charged with two counts of animal cruelty in connection to the incidents.

The surviving puppy continues to recover in the care of a Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center foster parent. He needs further medical care and anyone wishing to help with the costs is asked to visit www.beachpetpals.org .

The case remains under investigation.