Two Queens Residents Arrested by ASPCA for Dog Abuse

NEW YORK-- Two Queens residents were arrested by Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) agents of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) on separate animal cruelty incidents and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Desiree Powell, 27, was arrested yesterday evening by ASPCA Special Agent Bradley English for abusing and injuring a six-month-old male Yorkshire terrier puppy.

On November 9, 2010, veterinary staff at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital alerted HLE agents to an injured eight-pound Yorkshire terrier that had exhibited signs of abuse. The dog, named Chibi, was surrendered by his owner to Animal Care and Control of New York City and was later transferred to the ASPCA.

Upon further investigation by HLE agents and veterinary experts, it was determined that Chibi had previously sustained three leg fractures, two broken ribs and a recent hemorrhage to his right eye. Two of the leg fractures were surgically addressed at a private veterinary hospital. Chibi is currently being treated at the hospital and not yet available for adoption.

In a separate incident, Cherie Fillmore, 32, was arrested on February 5, 2011, by ASPCA Special Investigator Paul Romano for severely neglecting and starving her one-year-old pit bull. The ASPCA responded to a complaint of a deceased dog on Fillmore's property in early January and discovered a deceased pit bull chained to a metal railing on the side of the residence. A necropsy performed by ASPCA veterinarians determined that the dog had died of starvation.

Both Powell and Fillmore have been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, they each face up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.