The Jersey Journal reports that 40-year-old Eric Wesley of Glen Gardner appeared in court this week to hear the charges, which stem from an Aug. 12 incident in Secaucus.
Authorities say Wesley repeatedly struck the 5-pound dog, named Bella, in the head with the remote. The dog suffered skull fractures and was taken to a veterinary hospital, but doctors could not save the animal.
Wesley's sister reported the incident to police the next day, and Wesley turned himself in two days later.
A telephone number for Wesley could not be located Saturday. It was not clear if he has hired a lawyer.
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Information from: The Jersey Journal, http://www.nj.com/jjournal