A Forest Hills man was arraigned Monday on animal cruelty for repeatedly injuring his Boston Terrier puppy last fall. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
A Forest Hills man was indicted on animal cruelty charges and other crimes for allegedly repeatedly injuring his female Boston Terrier to the point where the puppy could no longer walk nor even stand, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Paul Verite, 50, of Clyde Street, was arraigned on May 15 before Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino on an indictment charging him with aggravated cruelty to animals and overdriving, torturing or injuring an animal.
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 various unexplained and suspicious injuries, including a scleral/subconjunctival hemorrhage, torn toenail, suspected traumatic brain injury, head contusion and bruising suspected to be from blunt force trauma.
According to the charges, during Espy’s final medical visit, a veterinarian at Austin Veterinary Care began treating the puppy for a potential seizure but observed the dog was failing to respond to treatment. Suspecting Espy was suffering from a traumatic 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, according to prosecutors. Further examination revealed that Espy suffered from bilateral flail chest, swelling and bruising on her abdomen and scleral hemorrhaging in both eyes and was in critical condition. It was further determined that there was no guarantee Espy’s neurological signs would improve if surgery were performed. Verite opted to euthanize Espy, prosecutors said.
An autopsy was conducted by a forensic veterinarian who also reviewed prior medical records relating to the…
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