A Jackson Heights man has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty and other charges after allegedly slamming his girlfriend’s 3-year-old Chihuahua against the floor, killing the animal, during a verbal dispute Sunday afternoon, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
The alleged incident was witnessed by the girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter.
Carlos Hernandez, 32, was arraigned on Monday on a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated cruelty to animals, fourth-degree criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of a child.
Bail was set at $7,500 cash or bond. Hernandez posted the surety, and Department of Correction records indicate he was discharged from Rikers Island on Wednesday. His next court date was scheduled for Jan. 25.
According to the charges, Hernandez was inside his girlfriend’s Forest Hills residence at approximately 4:15 p.m. last Sunday and got into a shouting match with her. Hernandez allegedly grabbed the Chihuahua out of her hands and slammed the dog against the floor, causing the dog to bleed from its ears and collapse on the floor, where it died minutes later. The girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter, who was the Chihuahua’s caregiver, was allegedly present in the room and witnessed the violent incident, Brown noted.
“On the day my office announced the establishment of a dedicated animal cruelty prosecution unit to pursue allegations of animal cruelty, a Queens resident is accused of pulling his girlfriend’s small dog out of her hands during a verbal argument and killing the helpless animal by violently throwing the dog to the floor,” Brown added. “Such acts of aggression toward animals cannot – and will not – be tolerated.”
If convicted, Hernandez faces up to four years in prison.
By Forum Staff
