Poor Poodle; Amazing Arrest
Last Tuesday, ASPCA Special Agent Debbie Ryan arrested Diana Elias, 52, at her home on East 122nd Street, New York City, on misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty. Following up on an anonymous complaint, Agent Ryan discovered Elias’s six-year-old miniature poodle, Miss Bea, in a closet, encased in a solid cocoon of matted hair laden with urine, feces and filth. Long-term lack of grooming and exercise had rendered Miss Bea unable to stand or walk; she was also suffering from an ear infection and nails so overgrown that they curled around and pierced the skin on her paw pads. Vets at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital (BMAH) removed three pounds of knotted hair—one-third of the dog’s total body weight. “This was an extreme case of neglect, one that didn’t happen overnight,” says Dr. Robert Reisman, ASPCA Medical Coordinator of Animal Abuse Cases. “The muscles in Miss Bea's front legs had atrophied due to non-use, and her carpal joints—the equivalent of wrists in humans—became extended to compensate for her immobility. It took at least four months for her to reach this state.”
While Elias, charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty, faces up to one year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine, Miss Bea is getting her second chance at life and love. After completing medical treatment at BMAH, including spay surgery and a thorough grooming, she was made available for adoption. On February 14, her new parents, Gabrielle and Giovanna Sorci, came all the way from Pennsylvania to adopt the little white dog and give her the love and nurturing she deserves—a true Valentine’s Day success story!
If you know of an animal whose health is being compromised by neglect, please report it. In New York City, contact the ASPCA's anonymous tip line at (877) THE-ASPCA. To learn how to report cruelty elsewhere, visit our Report Cruelty section.
Labels: News
posted by ASPCA at 4:46 PM PERMALINK
8 Comments:
I think this woman is an awful person and unfortunaley there are too many stories like this one in the world today. I think the possible charges that this woman faces is a joke and maybe if the consequences were greater some might think twice about the way they treat animals. I feel that animals are a gift and should be treated with absolute kindness. It apalls me that human beings are capable of such cruelty and intentional abuse to other living beings. I just feel that the charges should be far greater than one year in prison and/or a $2000 fine. Think about a woman that could treat a poor helpless dog with such cruelty, what else is this woman capable of? Obviously she doesn't have much of a heart.
Thank God that Miss Bea was rescued and found a loving home.
I had a toy/miniature for 21 years. Two toy sisters...one passed at 10, Pearl is still with me at 11. They give so much love, are incredibly smart and easy to train, but they are not a pet for everyone. Toys are very strong minded and can be a bit vindictive when they feel they have been wronged. (translates to sneaky peeing) They are sort of like teenagers' forever. People who like cats do well with poodles. I bet Miss Bea has a wonderful loving and independent spirit and was punished for it in a most cruel way. I wish her humans who will treasure her.
people please help!!!!! we should be fighting the animal abusers with all we have!! If a animal abusers is found and proven to be, then just like people who have drugs they should lose what they have to pay to help the animals they have hurt. That football player had to well so can others. I live in Tucson AZ and they just busted some people with dogs for fighting, well they did not have alot of cash but we're let out oh!!!!but gress what they owen 3 count them 3 properties will hello that could help alot of animals and take some of the care off of people who won't help! Well I am sure I have gone on to much but please tell me who to yell at and I will thank you linda
I'm so glad poor Miss Bea was rescued by that disgusting and horrible lady. I hope for Miss Bea sake that she has a warm and cozy blanket of fur on her back and has a nice family and home.
one year jail time and/or a
$ 2000.00 fine? Big deal. This miserable excuse for a human being should be subjected to the same conditions that her poor little dog had to endure. There is surely a special place in hell for this woman.
I was watching animal cops Phoenix the other day and I saw something that upset me terribly. They rescued a absolutely gorgeous dog who they deemed dominant personality, so what did they do ? They put him down ! This is unacceptable for an animal rescue orginazation !! Why on earth could they not work with him ? I just don't understand what makes people think just because a dog has a dominant personality, he can't be changed, and why they think they are always right especially when it comes to life or death. I am VERY dissapointed in them.
I am a Vet Tech and have seen a lot of abuse cases. There is little I love more than my animals, I have 37.
But I am also starting to have feelings for the people involved. It is hard for me to think that they are all bad people. Maybe situations or lack of knowledge? I have 37 mainly because the usual answer to these situations is to remove the animal. What about education to learn to love and care for your pet. Is there any help out there for these people to learn to be better pet owners. I can't resist helping but my budget and farm are full. It breaks my heart to turn them away but I'm getting old and won't always be here. It would be nice to know that educating and monitoring people to keep their pets would also be beneficial. Don't be so quick to condemn people, there may be a reason. Not a good one but at least a place to start.
I would have to disagree somewhat with the last comment. Some people love animals but just don't have the means to care for them. ( Whether it's financial issues, health issues, etc.), but they do the best they can. But some people have NO heart for animals. They totally disregard them as an object that they can abuse, throw away, and get a new one. I personally am a HUGE animal lover and have had pets my entire life. It absolutely turns my stomach to read or hear about such outrageous acts people do to God's creatures. God gave us these animals for our enjoyment...to love...NOT to abuse. The answer is simple. Treat your pets as what they are...part of your family. God blessed us and gave us the ability to have love in our hearts for these animals. It's a choice...you either choose to love them, or have sense enough not to have them. Unfortunately, some people don't have that common sense and choose to enjoy abusing God's wonderful creatures. They get a kick out of it! We as a whole can be one voice for these precious animals that can't speak for themselves and pray that the abusers punishments will be far more greater than just a year in jail or a couple bucks fine. We get more jail time and pay tremendous fines more for writing cold checks than abusing something GOD created. I agree with Debbie, the consequences should be far greater than they are. It's an outrage. It's a shame. I myself have started a blog as One Voice for animal abuse and I feature the ASPCA as part of my support for cruelty to animals. www.thepetpatch.blogspot.com. I may not have much money but I try to get the word out as much as possible in supporting the fight against animal cruelty.
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