Allston man charged with throwing coffee in dog's face

By Michele Richinick, Globe Correspondent

An Allston man faced an animal cruelty charge today after he allegedly threw hot coffee at his neighbor's barking dog.

Michael Pothier, 52, told police that he has long been frustrated by the barking of his neighbor's German shepherd on Hooker Street. His frustration boiled over on Monday, Pothier told police, and he threw cold coffee in the dog's face.

Police had responded to a call from the neighbor, however, who said Pothier threw hot coffee at his dog just after 10 a.m. Officers who responded to Hooker Street could smell coffee on the dog's fur, according to a Boston police statement.