Two Bronx Residents Arrested by ASPCA Agents for Animal Cruelty
<i>Cases Include Dogs Suffering from Starvation, Heat Stroke & Neglect, Abandonment</i>October 28, 2010
NEW YORK--Two Bronx residents were arrested by Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) agents of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) on Sunday, October 24, and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Cesar Rivera, 49, was arrested by ASPCA Special Agent Pat Breen for starving and neglecting his neighbor's dog. The dog, a 12-year-old Samoyed mixed-breed named Bear, had been left in Rivera's care while his owner was out of town.
On July 9, 2010, Bear was surrendered to Animal Care & Control. He was emaciated, maggot-infested and in distress. ASPCA HLE agents responded to Animal Care & Control's complaint and transferred Bear to the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, where veterinarians determined he had sustained heat stroke and starvation. In the days preceding Bear's surrender, temperatures in New York City reached some of their highest on record: On July 6, temperatures soared to 103 degrees, and on July 7 and July 9, they reached 100 degrees.
In a separate incident, Diamond Sanders, 20, was arrested by ASPCA Special Agent Adam Gankiewicz for neglecting and abandoning her seven-month-old Yorkie, named Benji, in a park near Barnes Avenue and Gunhill Road. Police responded and took Benji to Animal Care and Control, which in turn notified the ASPCA. Benji showed signs of severe neglect, including overgrown nails and matting.
Rivera has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Sanders has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and abandonment, and faces up to two years in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.
Cesar Rivera, 49, was arrested by ASPCA Special Agent Pat Breen for starving and neglecting his neighbor's dog. The dog, a 12-year-old Samoyed mixed-breed named Bear, had been left in Rivera's care while his owner was out of town.
On July 9, 2010, Bear was surrendered to Animal Care & Control. He was emaciated, maggot-infested and in distress. ASPCA HLE agents responded to Animal Care & Control's complaint and transferred Bear to the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, where veterinarians determined he had sustained heat stroke and starvation. In the days preceding Bear's surrender, temperatures in New York City reached some of their highest on record: On July 6, temperatures soared to 103 degrees, and on July 7 and July 9, they reached 100 degrees.
In a separate incident, Diamond Sanders, 20, was arrested by ASPCA Special Agent Adam Gankiewicz for neglecting and abandoning her seven-month-old Yorkie, named Benji, in a park near Barnes Avenue and Gunhill Road. Police responded and took Benji to Animal Care and Control, which in turn notified the ASPCA. Benji showed signs of severe neglect, including overgrown nails and matting.
Rivera has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Sanders has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and abandonment, and faces up to two years in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.
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