The dog died after suffering four broken ribs, one of which punctured a lung, the prosecutor's office said.
Dog trainer Michael Rosenberg faces charges of animal cruelty.
PRINCETON — A Princeton man was indicted by a state grand jury this week on charges of animal cruelty for allegedly beating and killing a dog he was hired to train.
Michael G. Rosenberg, 31, was hired in August to train Shyanne, a 3-year-old German Shepherd mix. The dog died after suffering four broken ribs, one of which punctured a lung, said Casey DeBlasio, a spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutors Office.
Prosecutors said the dog, owned by Lawrence resident Tracy Stanton, was also suffering from hyperthermia.
The case against Rosenberg was presented Wednesday to a grand jury, which returned the indictment on the animal cruelty charge.
Rosenberg hit Shyanne with a crop whip, picked up the dog and slammed her to the ground, and jabbed his fingers into the dog's ribs, according to Animal Control Officer Mark Johnson. Johnson said Rosenberg did not seek medical attention for the dog.
If convicted, Rosenberg faces a maximum of five years in state prison and a $15,000 fine.
When reached by phone this afternoon, James Wronko, Rosenberg's attorney, said he was unaware of the indictment and that his client maintains he is innocent.
"He says (the charges) are ridiculous and he look s forward to going to trail and exonerating himself," Wronko said.
Rosenberg was initially charged with six counts of animal cruelty in the case, but was indicted on only one count. He is scheduled to be arranged March 8.
Last month, a second dog owner filed similar charges against Rosenberg. A Montgomery woman alleged that in May he beat her bull terrier Ziggy at her home. Rosenberg was also charged with beating his own dogs over a period of several months.
DeBlasio said Rosenberg is being held in a correctional facility for a violation of the terms of his sex offender status. He was convicted in 2011 on child endangerment charges after he engaged in sexual activity with a juvenile. He is a registered sex offender.
Previous coverage:
• Princeton dog trainer accused of beating dog to death faces new charges
• Princeton dog trainer is charged with six counts of animal cruelty in beating death of dog