Woman accused of pushing her dog into lake, watching it drown

MERRIMACK, N.H. — A New Hampshire woman is facing a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge after witnesses said she pushed her 11-year-old golden retriever into a lake and watched it drown, according to Merrimack police.

On June 8, police said they were dispatched to Wasserman Park at 7:34 p.m. to assist the fire department with a dog that had drowned in Naticook Lake.

During initial investigation, witnesses told police that 66-year-old Nancy Bucciarelli, of Merrimack, pushed her dog into the lake, where it struggled to swim and eventually drowned.

The police department’s animal control officer and patrol division subsequently determined that Bucciarelli had in fact pushed her dog into the lake and made no effort to help it while it was drowning.

Witnesses told police that they tried to save the dog from drowning, but it was too late. Police said the dog drowned in 3 and 1/2 feet of water, which had a temperature of 74 degrees.

Police later drafted a warrant for Bucciarelli’s arrest, charging her with cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor level offense.

Bucciarelli subsequently surrendered herself to police and was arrested Friday. She was released on personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in Merrimack Circuit Court on June 27. Poor Baby didn’t have a chance. Sad.

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