ABINGTON, Mass. (AP) – One man is in the hospital with severe brain stem injuries and another man is facing an assault charge following a confrontation over a barking dog in Abington.

Police say 48-year-old Brian Cherry fell and struck his head on the pavement after being punched in the head by Michael McGunigle at a coffee shop Monday.

Authorities say Cherry said something to McGunigle about his dog, which had been left in his SUV but was barking and menacing passers-by.

The Enterprise of Brockton reports that the 49-year-old McGunigle was released on $3,000 bail after pleading not guilty to aggravated assault Wednesday. He claimed Cherry was the aggressor.

Prosecutors say Cherry is likely to be paralyzed. He was in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital on Thursday.

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