Every week I update you on the gangs we prosecute, the guns we get off the streets and the human traffickers we send to prison. In addition, we hold accountable to the fullest extent of the law those who would tragically abuse our pets.
We secured an indictment this week against a Forest Hills man accused of repeatedly physically abusing his female Boston Terrier puppy, Espy.
Between September 2022 -- when the dog was just 10 weeks old -- through November 2022, the defendant made multiple trips to an area veterinarian who treated Espy for a variety of unexplained ailments, including a suspected traumatic brain injury.
At 16 weeks old, the defendant took the dog to the same vet, who referred him to an animal hospital. The puppy arrived at the medical facility in critical condition with swelling and bruising to her abdomen and other signs of trauma. The defendant was told there was no guarantee Espy would improve with surgery and the man had the dog euthanized.
A necropsy showed Espy suffered horribly during her short life -- 21 of her 26 ribs had been fractured, more than half were broken in more than one place. The exam showed she suffered from multiple blunt force trauma injuries.
The brutality inflected upon Espy is as sickening as it is heart-wrenching. The defendant will be held to account for the pain and suffering he is alleged to have caused this defenseless creature.
My top priority is to keep all those who live in Queens County safe - including our four-legged, furry residents.
In Friendship,
Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
