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JUSTYCE MATTHEW charged with animal cruelty after dumping his dead dog on a sidewalk

- New York, USA -


The Watervliet Police Department announced that 48-year-old JUSTYCE MATTHEW (pictured), was charged with animal cruelty following the death of his dog.


In a press release, police said that on July 5, 2023, officers responded to First Avenue after receiving a report of a dead dog.

Officers found a deceased 4-year-old French Bulldog on the sidewalk.

The Watervliet Police Department tell me the furvictim was a male named Bruce Bruce.


An investigation revealed that the furbaby “suffered from a medical emergency”, stated the release. Furthermore, from the investigation it emerged that the dog’s guardian, MATTHEW,

“failed to provide the required care which contributed to its death”, said police.


MATTHEW then dumped his own dog on the sidewalk.


After being charged with animal cruelty (Agriculture & Markets Law-Misdemeanor), MATTHEW was released on an appearance ticket.


In a statement, Watervliet Police Chief Joseph Centanni said: “There are no words to effectively describe the wickedness of people who intentionally abuse animals. Not only did the defendant cause inconceivable distress to this dog but he also failed to provide the medical treatment that could have saved its life. Instead, the offender engaged in several acts to avoid detection including discarding the deceased animal on the sidewalk like trash. The Watervliet Police Department would like to thank the residents and business owners who provided vital information which greatly assisted the department in apprehending this defendant.”


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.



MATTHEW’s mugshot shared from the Watervliet Police Department.





 
 
 

DALONTAE VIRGIL-WILKINSON charged with torturing an animal for striking a dog multiple times

- New York, USA -


~ Update: July 28, 2023


I have received an email from Mr. Nolan Pitkin who is the Assistant District Attorney in charge of prosecuting animal cruelty cases in Jefferson County. Mr. Pitkin is also a member of the Jefferson County Animal Cruelty Task Force.


Mr. Pitkin told me the dog removed from VIRGIL-WILKINSON’s care and custody is a male Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler (pictured). The furvictim’s name and age have not been confirmed but Mr. Pitkin believes the furbaby “is still a young dog (between eight months and a year and a half).”


To my question whether the dog is VIRGIL-WILKINSON’s, Mr. Pitkin said: “It is my understanding that this dog does, in fact, belong to the defendant in this case.”


Mr. Pitkin then said about the furvictim: “I had the opportunity to meet him this morning, and he enjoyed all of the attention and treats! He is safe and is being treated great at the shelter right now.”


No other information could be disclosed as the case is still active.




~ Update: Jul 28, 2023


In response to my inquiry about the dog, Watertown Police Detective Sergeant Giaquinto told me in an email that “Further details can’t be disclosed at this time as this case is still pending prosecution and is therefore considered open.”


I have also emailed Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills and requested the same information. Should I receive a response, I will rectify the article accordingly.



~ Original Story:


The Watertown City Police Department charged 25-years-old DALONTAE VIRGIL-WILKINSON in connection with a case where a defenseless dog was repeatedly struck.


According to a press release by the Watertown City Police obtained by Voice For Us, on the morning of Thursday, July 27, 2023, police responded to an animal abuse complaint at an apartment on 1223 Faichney Drive.


The police allege that VIRGIL-WILKINSON struck a dog five times, causing the furbaby to yelp.

They additionally say that VIRGIL-WILKINSON then proceeded to pick up the furvictim by the neck and carried him/her down a set of stairs.


VIRGIL-WILKINSON, residing at 1221 Faichney Drive apartment 7, was charged with one misdemeanor count of Torturing an Animal.

The assailant was arraigned at Watertown City Court before Judge Anthony M. Neddo who issued a warrant to remove the dog. Jefferson County Dog Control took custody of the furvictim.


Judge Neddo released VIRGIL-WILKINSON on his own recognizance. Court records show that VIRGIL-WILKINSON is expected back in court on August 3, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.


The Watertown City Police Department did not disclose additional details about the Voiceless Victim nor his/her current well-being status. I have emailed the Department and requested information. If I get 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.



Additional Source:





 
 
 

BLAKE I. HILIGH and ZACHARY F. PILARCEK ex-Buffalo football players facing animal cruelty charges

- New York, USA -


Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced that 19-year-old BLAKE I. HILIGH of Alexandria, Virginia and 20-year-old ZACHARY F. PILARCEK of Endicott, New York (both pictured), were arraigned on the morning of Thursday, June 29, 2023, before Amherst Town Court Justice Geoffrey Klein.


HILIGH and PILARCEK, former football players of University at Buffalo, are charged with one count of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance (misdemeanor under New York Agriculture and Markets Law).


According to a press release by the DA’s Office, an investigation into these scum began when the SPCA Serving Erie County received a report of animal abuse that happened at an apartment on Sweet Home Road in the Town of Amherst shared by HILIGH and PILARCEK .

The furvictim is a 4-year-old buff-colored male miniature Poodle named Kobe.


In a press release, the SPCA Serving Erie County recounted that on the late evening of June 13, 2023, its Animal Cruelty Investigations Department received an anonymous email which included a video that had been posted on a Snapchat account the same evening, and the name of one of the two individuals involved. According to the SPCA, in the video PILARCEK “is speaking off-camera about damage a dog did to a couch,” while HILIGH, Kobe’s guardian, “claims he will film the punishment the dog will receive.” The SPCA said that HILIGH “is then filmed yelling at the dog,” “and proceeds to beat him with what appears to be a leather belt.”


The following day, the SPCA Serving Erie County launched an investigation and information gathered led Investigator Lindsey Wood to contact University at Buffalo Police officers.

It turned out that officers had received similar reports and fully cooperated with the SPCA investigation.

Later that day, HILIGH and PILARCEK were located and charged.


Kobe was rescued from the property and “was immediately transported to the SPCA Serving Erie County’s veterinary team where he received treatment for bruises and abrasions”, said the Erie County D A’s Office. The DA’s Office advised that the Voiceless Victim “remains under the care of the SPCA at an undisclosed location.”


Kobe’s abusers, HILIGH and PILARCEK, were given an appearance ticket to be arraigned on June 29, 2023.

Following the charges, HILIGH and PILARCEK were suspended from University at Buffalo and dismissed from the UB Football program.

WIVB reports that Buffalo head coach Maurice Linguist said in a statement: “The UB football program has zero tolerance for this type of behavior. After learning about the incident, I immediately suspended the two young men from all team activities before permanently dismissing them from the program earlier this month. At UB, not only do we expect our student-athletes to excel on the field and in the classroom, but we also expect them to be outstanding citizens in our community.”


PILARCEK is slated to appear back at Amherst Town Court on the morning of Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 9:30 a.m., while HILIGH is scheduled to return on Thursday, August 3, 3023, at 9:30 a.m.

Both were released on their own recognizance “as charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail”, explained Erie County DA Flynn. A bond hearing was set for July 6, 2023, in Cheektowaga Town Court.

Judge Geoffrey Klein issued a temporary order that prevents HILIGH and PILARCEK “from owning or caring for any animals while the case is pending.”


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.



HILIGH and PILARCEK’s photographs via University at Buffalo.





 
 
 

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