Long Island Man Faces Animal Cruelty Charges for Withholding Veterinary Care from Puppy, According to DA

LONG ISLAND, NY — A man from Long Island faces charges of animal cruelty for reportedly refusing to seek veterinary treatment for a puppy that was struck by a vehicle and left unable to walk due to a fractured pelvis on New Year's Eve, as stated by Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney's office on Friday.

The 26-year-old man from Ronkonkoma was arrested on Thursday and faces serious legal consequences, including one count of animal cruelty and four counts of second-degree criminal contempt, all classified as misdemeanors. Due to the nature of the charges, Patch does not disclose the identities of defendants involved in misdemeanor cases.

Interestingly, this individual had been released without bail while awaiting the outcome of another animal cruelty case. Online court records indicate that he currently does not have an attorney listed to represent him.

Previously, in December 2024, the man was charged with animal cruelty for neglecting a Kangal Shepherd to the extent that the dog became emaciated. As a result of that case, he was ordered to refrain from owning any animals while the legal proceedings were ongoing.

Investigators from the District Attorney's Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team located the man on Thursday, discovering three other Kangal Shepherds in his possession, including two puppies. These animals were promptly seized; however, "tragically," one of the puppies was found to be severely injured at that moment, according to a statement from Tierney's office.

Tierney emphasized the importance of the BEAST investigative team, stating he established it "for a reason." He reaffirmed their commitment to tackling animal cruelty, declaring that the team "will pursue every reported act of animal cruelty and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."

On New Year's Eve, a good Samaritan spotted an injured puppy lying on the roadway, appearing to have been recently hit by a car and unable to use its legs. They quickly wrapped the puppy in a blanket and rushed it to the emergency hospital at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists, as reported by prosecutors.

The puppy suffered significant injuries to its back legs. In the meantime, the good Samaritan returned to the location where the puppy was found and began knocking on doors to locate its owner. When the man, who lived nearby, was informed that the puppy had been struck by a car, he went to retrieve the injured animal, according to the prosecutors.

When the man visited the veterinary hospital, the staff informed him that the puppy had severe injuries and should remain there for treatment. However, he decided to remove the puppy against medical advice that evening, just before midnight, according to prosecutors.

After discovering this, investigators from the BEAST team responded to the man's residence on New Year's Day. When they were initially denied entry, they returned with a search warrant, resulting in the recovery of three animals, including the injured puppy, as stated by prosecutors.

The allegations indicate that the injured puppy did not receive any veterinary care for severe injuries that were later determined to include a fractured pelvis and leg fractures, both of which require extensive surgical intervention.

At the time of the seizure, the man surrendered both puppies to law enforcement. These puppies are now available for adoption through the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. However, one of the puppies must first undergo significant rehabilitative surgery, which will be funded by the Fund for Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk, Inc.

In a recent Facebook post, Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico brought attention to the puppies, stating that they "are available for adoption along with many other wonderful dogs and cats at our animal shelter." He encouraged the community to visit the shelter, saying, "Come and take a look and find a loving friend and companion in need of a forever home."

This outreach not only promotes the adoption of these puppies but also emphasizes the importance of providing homes for animals in need. The call to action aims to connect potential adopters with pets looking for loving families, fostering a sense of community involvement in animal welfare efforts. Panico's message highlights the shelter's commitment to finding safe and nurturing environments for all the animals in their care.

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