© Provided by WINS Radio New York Siren
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A man was charged for allegedly repeatedly injuring his 10-week-old female Boston Terrier to the point where the puppy could not walk or stand, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Tuesday.
Paul Verite was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, and failure to provide sustenance.
According to the charges, on multiple occasions in September, October and November, Verite took his dog Espy to Austin Veterinary Care and Blue Pearl Animal Hospital where she required treatment for a variety of unexplained and suspicious injuries including scleral/subconjunctival hemorrhage, torn toenail, suspected traumatic brain injury, head contusion, and bruising suspected to be from blunt force trauma.
During Espy’s final medical visit, a veterinarian at Austin Veterinary Care began treating the dog for a potential seizure but observed the dog was failing to respond to treatment. Suspecting Espy was suffering from atraumatic head injury, the veterinarian referred Verite to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital for emergency care.
Espy arrived at Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in critical condition and was determined to be unable to stand or walk.
Further examination revealed that Espy was suffering from bilateral flail chest, swelling and bruising on her abdomen and scleral hemorrhaging on both eyes and was in critical condition.
It was further determined that there was no guarantee Espy’s neurological signs would improve if surgery was performed and Verite opted to euthanize her.
A necropsy was conducted by a forensic veterinarian who also reviewed prior medical records relating to the injuries Espy sustained during her life. It was determined the Espy suffered multiple injuries, including multiple blunt force traumas to her ribs.
According to officials, 21 of Espy’s 26 ribs were fractured, with over half fractured in more than one place.
Espy’s broken ribs were in different stages of healing indicating that she had suffered multiple blunt force injuries prior to her death. These injuries caused Espy to experience excruciating pain before her death.
A judge ordered Verite to return to court April 24. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison.
“To see a trusting, defenseless creature brutalized the way this puppy was over the course of her short, tortured life makes you heartsick,” District Attorney Katz said. “The defendant will be held to account for the violence he is alleged to have inflicted upon this poor animal.”