Man punches disabled vet after refusing to let daughter pet service dog

A 21-year-old man is accused of punching a disabled Army veteran in the face at a Fayetteville, N.Y., Dunkin Donuts, because he wouldn't let his daughter pet his service dog, according to ABC 6.

According to the Manlius Police Department, the man, Dominick Vidal, approached the disabled veteran and his service dog while they were at the counter.

Police say Vidal told them he became angry with the victim after he told his daughter she could not pet his dog since it was a service animal. As a result, he punched the man in the face two times. Vidal, who fled the scene shortly after the incident, turned himself in to police after his coworkers informed him they saw his picture on the news. 

Vidal reported to police "to claim responsibility for his actions." He told detectives that he overreacted and "should not have done what he did."

He is charged with third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, both of which are misdemeanors. 

Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @caitiesmith