- New York, USA -
~ Update: May 16, 2023
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that on May 15, 2023, 50-years-old PAUL VERITE “was arraigned in Queens Supreme Court on an indictment charging him with aggravated cruelty to animals and overdriving, torturing or injuring an animal.”
The voiceless victim of this abhorrent crime is a 10-week-old female Boston Terrier named Espy who had to be euthanized as a consequence of repeated torture inflicted upon her.
As reported in the original press release by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, a necropsy performed on the defenseless furbaby, revealed that “she suffered excruciating pain before dying.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said that Justice Cimino ordered VERITE, of Clyde Street in Forest Hills, to return to court on June 14, 2023. If convicted, he faces up to ONLY two years in prison.
If Espy had been a human, the term used in this case by the relevant agencies would have been “murder” and her murderer would have faced life in prison!
Whatever time VERITE will spend behind bars, after his release, he can resume his life.
Espy won’t! Her right to a long life was taken away from her!
For as long as animals rights are ignored, this is the result. So, as far as I am concerned, lawmakers and judges continue to contribute to animal cruelty!
~ Update: March 1, 2023
I heard back from the Queens County District Attorney ‘s Office and learned that “Espy was euthanized on November 1 and shortly thereafter a necropsy was performed by a forensic veterinarian from the ASPCA.” To my request of releasing Espy’s pictures and VERITE’s booking photograph, I was told: “Unfortunately, we do not have photos that we can share.”
Finally, to my question: “Why X-rays weren't requested and performed by the veterinarians who examined Espy in September, October, and November and it took a necropsy to learn what Espy went through?”, I was told: “I do not have that information.”
~ Original story:
An innocent puppy was euthanized as a consequence of repeated torture inflicted upon her and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that 49-years-old PAUL VERITE has now been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and other crimes.
The voiceless victim is a 10-week-old female Boston Terrier named Espy.
In a news release, DA Katz said that according to the charges, “on multiple occasions in September, October and November, Verite took Espy to Austin Veterinary Care and Blue Pearl Animal Hospital. Each time, Espy required treatment for a variety of unexplained and suspicious injuries, which included a 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 at Austin Veterinary Care, a veterinarian began treating her for a potential seizure but realized that Espy was failing to respond to treatment. The veterinarian suspected that Espy was suffering from a traumatic head injury, so VERITE was referred to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital for emergency care. When Espy arrived at Blue Pearl, it was determined that she was not able to stand or walk. As indicated in the press release, “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. “ According to DA Katz, VERITE opted to euthanize Espy.
A necropsy was later performed on Espy by a forensic veterinarian who also reviewed prior medical records relating to the injuries Espy sustained during her life.
Results showed that “Espy suffered multiple injuries, including multiple blunt force traumas to her ribs. Of Espy’s 26 ribs, 21 were fractured, with over half fractured in more than one place. Espy’s broken ribs presented in different stages of healing indicating that Espy had suffered multiple blunt force injuries prior to her death. These injuries caused Espy to experience excruciating pain before her death.”
Investigators arrested VERITE, of Clyde Street, Queens, on February 6, 2023.
On February 27, 2023, this despicable individual was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge John F. Zoll on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance.
Judge Zoll released VERITE without bail and ordered him to return to court on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.
DA Kats said: “To see a trusting, defenseless creature brutalized the way this puppy was over the course of her short, tortured life makes you heartsick. The defendant will be held to account for the violence he is alleged to have inflicted upon this poor animal.”
And yet, IF convicted, VERITE faces up to ONLY two years behind bars.
Daily News reports that VERITE denies the charges and told the news agency: “The hospital is lying I’m being falsely accused.”
VERITE went on to tell Daily News it was his first time having a dog and stated: “My father died of lung cancer in April, so I got the dog as an emotional support animal. Dog bumped his head about a month and a half ago. I was holding him, and he fell.”
According to Daily News, a veterinary staffer said: “He did not want that necropsy done. He wanted her cremated.”
I have emailed NYPD and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and requested additional information as well as Espy’s pictures and VERITE’s mugshot. I am sure we all want to know why X-rays weren't requested and performed by the veterinarians who examined Espy in September, October, and November and it took a necropsy to learn what Espy went through! Should I receive a response, I will post an update.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
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