Scottsbluff man charged with animal cruelty after February incident

GERING, NE — A Scottsbluff man was arraigned this week on a charge stemming from an incident earlier this year. 

According to court documents, 57-year-old Jonathan Quindt is charged with cruelly mistreating an animal - 1st offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

Court documents say Gering Police were called to a home in late February for a report of animal abuse. Upon arrival, a woman told police Quindt had come into her room thrown her 11-week-old puppy, Romeo, against her dresser the day before. The woman told police Quindt had been drinking before the incident, according to court documents. 

The woman told police Romeo was sleeping on a bed in the room when Quindt told the puppy to move before picking him up and throwing him, according to court documents.

The arrest affidavit says Romeo could not put any weight on one of his legs after being thrown. The woman took Romeo to a vet who told her Romeo's leg was broken. 

Police say when they spoke to the vet, the vet said the puppy broke three bones in his paw. 

Court documents say police called Quindt and asked him to come to the station for an interview. Quindt told police over the phone he did not hurt the dog and offered to pay the vet bill. He said he would think about coming in to talk with police, but never did. 

In early March, an arrest warrant was issued for Quindt which was returned Aug. 17.

Authorities originally charged Quindt with felony cruelty to an animal, but the charges have since been amended to the current misdemeanor count.