The Lake County prosecutor's office filed charges against a St. John Township man who allegedly assaulted a neighbor's dog while on parole from prison.
Michael C. Bessigano, 22, of 9611 Blaine St. was charged with attempted theft, a felony, and trespassing, a misdemeanor. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison, a prosecutor's office spokeswoman said.
The charges against Bessigano arose after a neighbor in the 9400 block of Blaine Street told police that he heard his German shepherd, Duke, barking in the back yard about 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.The man grabbed a portable spotlight, shined it into his back yard and saw Bessigano on his knees with his arms wrapped around the dog's neck, court documents state.
The neighbor reportedly asked Bessigano what he was doing and then told Bessigano that he was going to call the police. At that point, Bessigano ran away. The neighbor said he found a plastic bag with a brownish substance inside it lying near the dog, court documents state.
Warrants from Lake County and the state Parole Board were issued Thursday afternoon for Bessigano, said Sue Collins, supervisor of the prosecutor's county courts division. Members of Bessigano's family did not want to discuss the latest charges.
Bessigano has been on parole since he was released Jan. 10 from the Indiana Youth Center in Plainfield, said Mike Engleton, Bessigano's supervising parole agent. Bessigano was convicted of killing a Rottweiler dog in February 1993 and sentenced to three years in prison. He has a history of animal-related problems.
Before Bessigano's conviction, he had been on probation for earlier offenses involving killing a rooster and trying to molest a goose.
Engleton said the new charges constitute a parole violation. He added that the new charges will be submitted to the Parole Board along with a request that, on the strength of the allegations, Bessigano be kept in jail until the case has been resolved.
Some of Bessigano's neighbors said Thursday they are afraid to allow their pets or their children outside without adult supervision. At least two neighbors had tales of repeated harassment and intimidation by Bessigano. At residents' request, a judge issued a restraining order Jan. 28 barring Bessigano from contact with previous victims.
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