A Boston man faces animal cruelty charges after authorities say a video showed him abusing a dog named Pluto, including by lifting it into the air by its leash.

Akeem Pierre, 42, was charged in municipal court in Dorchester Thursday with animal cruelty and animal cruelty by a custodian. Judge Thomas Kaplanes released Pierre on personal recognizance and ordered him to stay away from Pluto.

“There are laws in place to protect pets from cruel and violent treatment just as there are laws to protect people from violence,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said. “If a set of facts supports charging someone with animal cruelty we will not hesitate to move forward.”

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or MSPCA, received a video from a concerned citizen on June 13 that alle

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