Dog was half its normal body weight and covered in urine
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a North Baldwin man has been arrested for allegedly abusing his five-year old Yorkshire Terrier, JJ, by not feeding or cleaning him.
Jason Armstrong, 34, was arraigned yesterday before Judge William Hohauser on charges of Failure to Provide Sustenance to Animals (an A misdemeanor). The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court July 31. If convicted, the defendant faces up to a year in jail.
“Every pet deserves a loving home but this defendant is charged with heartbreaking neglect that caused an innocent animal to unnecessarily suffer and nearly die,” said DA Singas. “I'm grateful to the skilled veterinarians who nursed this dog back to health and to our Animal Crimes Unit for bringing this case.”
DA Singas said on May 16, Armstrong surrendered the Yorkshire Terrier to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter and told shelter officials that the dog had not been eating or urinating. Shelter officials noticed that JJ was dirty and appeared to be emaciated. A shelter veterinarian examined the dog – who weighed approximately three pounds – and determined that the animal was approximately half the normal body weight he should have been. The veterinarian concluded that JJ was severely emaciated, seemed depressed and his eyes were crusted shut with mats and infection. Additionally, x-rays revealed a retained testicle, bladder stone and an older fracture in his tail. JJ was also covered in urine, had severe tartar disease and was severely dehydrated.
After meeting with the defendant, DA investigators discovered that the defendant had known about the dog’s health issues for more than a year. During that time, a veterinarian provided temporary relief – but told the defendant that surgery and treatment were necessary.
Following treatment, JJ fully recovered and was released back to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter where he was adopted by a loving family.
Assistant District Attorneys Carissa Danesi and Helene Weiss of DA Singas’ Animal Crimes Unit are prosecuting this case. The defendant is represented by Legal Aid Society.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.