By Michael V. Cusenza
In a visceral, gut-wrenching display of animal cruelty, a cancer-stricken dog with a large open wound to her chest was abandoned in Glendale on Tuesday, tied to a tree with a blanket and a bowl full of dog food.
On Tuesday morning, Councilmembers Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) and Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) were notified about a pit bull found tied to a tree near Atlas Mall. The elected officials alerted the 104th Precinct, Animal Care Centers, and area animal rescue groups to assist. The dog was taken to the ACC Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center in Ridgewood for evaluation.
Photo Courtesy of ACC of NY
Star was first taken to ACC Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center in Ridgewood for evaluation.
The veterinarians at ACC diagnosed the pit bull, who was named Star and was about 8 years old, with advanced-stage mammary cancer. Members of the City Police Department’s Animal Cruelty Squad later transported the dog to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to further assess her condition. Star was humanely euthanized Tuesday night in a veterinary hospital. Holden called it “the most compassionate option to end Star’s suffering.”
“How could anyone do this to such an innocent soul?” he asked.
The councilmembers are now demanding changes to NYPD investigation procedures and officer education, so that crimes against animals such as this one do not continue to fall through the cracks of the legal system.
“Animal cruelty in our city must be taken seriously, and the heartbreaking case involving Star is a perfect example of how these issues tragically fall through the cracks,” said Holden. “It’s devastating and outrageous that someone would leave this poor dog tied to a tree, suffering from advanced-stage cancer, and we demand accountability for these despicable actions and urge the NYPD to ensure swift justice.”
Photo Courtesy of Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit
“How could anyone do this to such an innocent soul?” Councilman Holden asked on Tuesday.
Ariola said, “The current procedure required for the NYPD to open an investigation is needlessly complex and antiquated, and most officers themselves are not even sure of the proper steps that need to be taken in animal cruelty cases. That’s why I am joining with Councilmember Holden in calling for changes to be made, both in officer training and education to ensure that officers respond correctly to these kinds of issues, and to the procedures themselves, so that no other animal abusers are able to get away unpunished because of technicalities in the legal system. We will not let Star’s awful death be in vain. We need to see changes now, to protect the animals of this city from further harm.”
The Animal Cruelty Squad has opened an investigation into the matter.
