An Oceanside dog trainer accused of abusing animals was in court Monday for a different charge.
Brian DeMartino is believed to be the man seen in video aggressively using a stick to repeatedly jab a pit bull that is locked inside a crate. He was in court Monday for an unrelated domestic violence charge, and denied outside the courthouse that he abused animals.
DeMartino is the owner of NYDogWorks in Oceanside. The company's website touts him as an "experienced behavior specialist that does not use excessive force." The video posted on Facebook has since led to an SPCA investigation.
It appears that DeMartino ran the business out of his home in Oceanside. Neighbors told News 12 that they did not even know there was a dog training business there.
Milena Apath, a volunteer with animal rescue group Forgotten Friends of Long Island, says the organization brought four dogs to DeMartino to be trained, only for the animals to come back more aggressive.
The SPCA says DeMartino could face animal cruelty charges.