After a video of a Fulton County man scaring his dog with fireworks on July 4 went viral, officials filed animal cruelty charges.
William Scaffidi told Channel 2 Action News that his daughter recorded the video with her cellphone and the family dog, a 4-year-old Husky named Betty Boop, was never in danger.
Outraged neighbors and friends shared the video he posted on Facebook, which has since been removed.
“I feel like it’s not reflective of me at all,” Scaffidi said.
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The clip showed the large, white dog ducking behind one potted plant with sparklers exploding on top of it. After Betty Boop darted across the top of the steps and behind a second potted plant, more fireworks exploded.
“The hate mail started coming in – threatening to kill me,” Scaffidi told Channel 2.
Scaffidi said he wasn’t pulling a prank on his pet and he didn’t put the plants on the steps to trap the dog. He told Channel 2 he regrets his decision.
“I admit it was a bad choice of posting it, and that’s my mistake,” Scaffidi said.
Scaffidi was charged with animal cruelty, but Fulton County Animal Services Field Services Director Tim Poorman said the judge can fine Scaffidi up to $500, make him surrender the dog and jail him for up to six months.
He has a Fulton County Magistrate Court date July 26.
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