ROYALTON – A New York State man has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after bystanders saw him beating his dog. Then, through the store window, Crisp said he saw a man swing at the dog about five to seven times with a closed fist as the dog cowered and yelped in the passenger seat, according to the affidavit. Able to hear the dogs whimpering and whining, several customers told Crisp that someone should call the police, Crisp said. Busy at the counter, he encouraged the bystanders to do so, or at least to get the license plate number. Philips is not allowed to possess animals as part of his interim conditions, according to the case summary.