Langhorne Man Accused of Causing Dog’s Death Doesn’t Show for Trial

A Langhorne man charged last year with animal cruelty offenses had an arrest warrant issued Monday when he didn’t appear for his jury trial date, according to the Bucks County Sheriff’s office.

Alfino Santangelo Jr., 43, of Langhorne, was recently charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and causing death, cruelty to animals and neglect of animals’ vet care, according to court records.

He was scheduled to appear in front of Judge Charissa J. Liller for pretrial motions and trial, according to court records.

Santangelo, according to LevittownNow.com,  was charged with a dog’s death after an investigation by township and Bucks County SPCA police in September of 2022.

According to the report, Middletown Township Police Department’s animal control officer received a call from BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital on Veterans Highway that a dog was brought to the facility deceased and had bruising that concerned veterinarians. The owner of the dog told pet hospital staff she suspected her husband had been abusing the dog, according to court records.

The Langhorne man became the focus of public outrage and scorn when a petition was started by a local woman petition, started by Eileen Morris, calling upon District Judge Daniel Baranoski “to understand the severity of this crime.”

As of Wednesday morning Santangelo had yet to turn himself in, according to online court records.