Alexander Atkind, a Cornell student who is alleged to have injured a dog in early March, has been indicted on a felony charge by a Tompkins County grand jury.

The Tompkins County District Attorney's office announced May 8 that Atkind, 23, who is originally from Massachusetts, was indicted on one count of felony aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with the March incident. On or about March 8, Atkind allegedly abused his roommate's dog, which had been in his care, by beating it and pouring bleach on it, damaging its eyesight for life.

The university released a statement shortly after the incident was made public, calling Atkind's alleged actions "totally unacceptable and abhorrent."

After Atkind was arraigned March 23 on a misdemeanor charge of "overdriving, torturing and injuring animals," District Attorney Gwen Wilkinson requested a 30-day adjournment in order to present the more serious felony charge to the grand jury.

Atkind remains in Tompkins County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. The grand jury indictment is solely an accusation.

In an unrelated incident, Atkind is also facing felony charges in Tioga County in connection with illegal drugs allegedly found in Atkind's possession on March 17.