SHB_p011

SC10292015

FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com OCTOBER 29, 2015 • THE COURIER SUN 11 Ridgewood man charged with animal cruelty for starving dog: DA BY ALINA SURIEL asuriel@queenscourier.com @alinanglica A Ridgewood man has been charged with animal cruelty after bringing a starving dog to a shelter and lying about his ownership of the dog, according to the Queens district attorney. Anthony Esteves, 25, of Metropolitan Avenue, brought a boxer breed dog to an Animal Care and Control (ACC) shelter at 92-29 Queens Blvd. on Oct. 13. He then allegedly told shelter employees that he had found the dog lying in the park and provided a false address when asked for his personal information. According to ACC records of the dog’s condition, the animal did not have enough energy to walk and he left blood stains behind in the kennel. The boxer was skeletal and emaciated— weighing only 25 pounds despite having the bone structure for a 60 to 65 pound weight range. An ASPCA forensic veterinarian later allegedly stated that it would have taken weeks, if not months, for a dog of such size to get to his condition if he started out as a healthy animal. “It is alleged that the emaciated animal was severely malnourished and did not have the energy to walk when the defendant brought the animal to the shelter,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. “The defendant is accused of showing a complete disregard for the wellbeing of this helpless animal when he failed to provide the basic necessities required to maintain the animal’s health.” A police investigation on Esteves triggered by a Daily News inquiry revealed that the address provided to the ACC shelter was actually located next door from where he lived. When authorities interviewed him at his residence on Oct. 19, Esteves allegedly provided various stories about who the dog belonged to before fi nally admitting that he was the true owner and that he brought the animal to the shelter because he did not want it to die in his bedroom. During a court-authorized search warrant executed in Esteves’ home in the evening of Oct. 19, authorities did not fi nd any receipts for dog food, veterinary care or dietary supplements for dogs, nor was there any dog food or evidence of dog food ever having been in the house. Esteves was arraigned on Oct. 20 on criminal charges of aggravated cruelty The owner of this boxer dog was charged with animal cruelty for not supplying it with sustenance. to animals, fi rst-degree falsifying business records and two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and failing to provide sustenance. The defendant faces up to four years in prison if convicted and was released on his own recognizance with orders Images courtesy of nonprofi t Adopt A Boxer Rescue to return to court on Dec. 15. According to the Facebook page for Adopt a Boxer Rescue, a nonprofi t currently caring for the boxer which has since been named “Brewster,” the dog has gained six pounds in the last week and is slowly recovering. Great rates like ours are always in season. 18-Month CD 1.15%APY* At Flushing Bank, we’re small enough to know you and large enough to provide you with the great rates you’re looking for. Hurry, an offer like this can’t last forever. For more information and to find out about our other great offers, visit your local Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. $5,000 minimum deposit * New money only. APY effective September 23, 2015. Annual percentage yield assumes principal and interest remain on deposit for a full year at current rate. Minimum deposit balance of $5,000 is required. Funds cannot be transferred from an existing Flushing Bank account. Premature withdrawals may be subject to bank and IRS penalties. Rates and offer are subject to change without notice. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark


SC10292015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above