Family and neighbors are distraught and saddened after a man allegedly beat his girlfriend and killed her dog. Our C.J. Spang has more from Ballston Spa.

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BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. -- "I want him to pay for what he's done before he does it to somebody else," said Mary, the mother of an alleged domestic assault victim.

Her family grieves and wants justice, after 30-year-old Justin Taylor allegedly beat his girlfriend and killed her dog.

"I'm devastated," Mary said. "My daughter has been involved in violence with her boyfriend and it elevated to killing a three pound, a three-and-a-half pound Chihuahua."

While Taylor faces assault charges, he was also charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, commonly known in New York as Buster's Law.

"The Buster Law came in effect I believe in 1999, when they upgraded it from a misdemeanor to a felony," said animal control officer David S. Brown. "I can say this is the first felony case that I've had. I've had several misdemeanors, but never with such aggression."

Police say Taylor punched, kicked and threw the dog, Kalvin, to the floor, causing severe head trauma, which ultimately killed him. They say Taylor then attempted to hide the dog's body in a ravine behind his house by covering it with leaves.

"It's really hard to believe that somebody could actually do what they did," Brown said. "I mean, to lose total control. It was bad enough he assaulted his girlfriend, but then to kill her animal, I mean, it was awful."

The mother of the victim wants to encourage other victims of domestic violence to get out of their abusive relationships.

"The very first time that he pushes you or hits you, get out," Mary said. "Get out right then because it's just the beginning of the end. If you're getting hit or pushed around, they're going to do it again. Get out."

Taylor, who is in the military, was released from jail and is scheduled to appear in court later this month.