Michael Gerchy has been charged with animal abuse for maliciously beating his one-eyed Staffordshire terrier Stitch. Gerchy can be seen in a recording repeatedly kicking Stitch, throwing and choking him. A witness reported that Stitch suffered from internal injuries for a week after the beating. 
This video has gone viral and has caught worldwide attention. 
 A second video was released of Gerchy smacking his then 6 month old Cane Corso Thor in the face and body with a slipper. 

Michael Gerchy was charged with animal abuse in March of 2026 and  was court ordered to give up custody of his dogs and to never own a pet again. However, the court order does not deny Gerchy from seeing his dogs, and he was even allowed to place them with a friend of his.

Shortly after Gerchy was released from jail he was caught with Stitch and Thor in his car in Virginia which is a direct violation of court orders. His bond was raised by $200 400 for violating court orders and he was in jail again. Stitch and Thor have been placed with Animal Control in Glastonbury, CT, where they will remain until this investigation is over.  They should never have been placed by Gerchy, especially not with a friend of his. 

After a week in jail Gerchy was bonded out of jail a second time. 

The DA and Virginia Animal Control failed Stitch and Thor. There is an audio recording of Gerchy bragging about being allowed to keep the dogs by Animal Control, VA after he had been arrested for animal abuse and bonded out the first time. 
Justice must be served for Stitch and Thor. It is now up to the public to make sure that they remain safe and far away from their abuser Michael Gerchy and anyone associated with him.