A Rochester man accused of setting a pit bull loose on his girlfriend pled “not guilty” today in City Court. Bail was set at $10,000.
James Cruz was indicted last week on first and second degree assault charges for allegedly releasing the dog from its cage during a fight with Mariah Schaffer on November 30th. The dog attacked Schaffer as she was leaving their house on Rockview Terrace. Police found the dog mauling her and were forced to shoot it dead to stop it.
Schaffer has undergone ten surgeries since then.
Cruz’s lawyer says he’s sorry for what happened and didn’t order the dog to attack her.