Metro

SI man busted for beating dog to death

An adorable Jack Russell Terrier was viciously beaten to death by a depraved Staten Island brute — all because the helpless dog had defecated inside the ex-con’s apartment, authorities said.

Blood was splattered all over the floor of Nashbert Smith’s Park Hill pad after he allegedly swung the tiny, 5-year-old pooch, named Lady, by her leash and repeatedly slammed her frail body against the walls of the hallway and kitchen during Wednesday’s terrifying 4 p.m. attack.

“F—k the dog,” the monstrous Smith, 28, a registered sex offender, allegedly snarled while savagely choking the beloved pet inside the Vanderbilt Avenue building.

Lady’s owner and Smith’s 32-year-old wife of four years, Diamond, was forced to look on in horror as the dog was tossed around like a rag doll.

“That was my best friend. That was my baby,” the heartbroken woman said yesterday.

Smith had allegedly called his wife and ordered her to come home before pummeling the powerless pup.

She returned to the apartment and a crazed Smith allegedly began torturing Lady after discovering she had made a mess in the hallway.

The woman desperately dialed 911 but responding officers were too late to save Lady. She was pronounced dead at a local veterinarian hospital.

A preliminary necropsy found the dog died of internal bleeding, brain trauma and bruised lungs.

Smith, who has prior assault busts, was arrested Thursday and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, according to spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.

In 2003, Smith was convicted of sexual misconduct with a girl under 15 years old and sentenced to nine months behind bars.

He’s also done two stints in jail on drug convictions, records show.

Once in custody, Smith claimed that the dog had been previously hurt and was sick, and that his wife had fabricated the story of him attacking Lady, sources said.

“She’s mad cause I f–k a lot of bitches,” he allegedly quipped during the interrogation.

Yesterday, his wife Diamond recalled happier times with Lady, which had been a birthday gift from her mother several years ago. Lady had birthed four puppies, was well-trained and loved having her tummy rubbed and playing with toys, she said.

She said she can’t imagine what Lady could have done to spark Smith’s rage.

“He actually loved the dog himself,” she said. “I just don’t understand.”

Smith was ordered held on $10,000 bail following his arraignment today in Stapleton Criminal Court.