Local man with history of violent conduct sentenced to prison after beating his dog with a baseball bat in Dartmouth

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III has announced the conviction of a 57-year-old man for Animal Cruelty in the New Bedford District Court. 

Gregory Ostiguy of New Bedford was convicted after a bench trial before the Honorable Heath Antonio on one Count of Animal Cruelty. He was sentenced to serve one year in the House of Correction. This sentence was deemed served as the defendant was previously convicted and sentenced to serve one year in the House of Correction in March of 2021 for the same charge. Ostiguy was granted a new trial after the court determined that he had not received a full explanation of his rights from the Court in March of 2021. 

On May 18, 2018, Dartmouth police were dispatched to the area of Colonial and Slocum Roads for reports of a male standing outside of his jeep, beating a dog with a baseball bat. 

Upon arrival, police located Ostiguy in an agitated state standing outside of his jeep.  The defendant relayed to police that he was frustrated because his tan pit bull, “Harley”, had eaten his lunch.  Multiple witnesses reported to police that they witnessed Ostiguy strike the dog numerous times with a wooden baseball bat.  Animal Control transported the dog to a local veterinary hospital where the dog was treated for a cheek laceration.  The veterinarian concluded that external trauma caused the injury to the dog. 

After Ostiguy’s conviction in 2021 for beating his dog, he was indicted in the Fall River Superior Court, convicted and sentenced to serve 3 1/2 to 7 years in the State Prison for threatening two male probation officers in the New Bedford District Court. 

“This is outrageous behavior from a defendant who has a history of violent conduct.  Fortunately, he was convicted by the court after a second trial was required,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said.