Severe Neglect of Kittens Leads to Brooklyn Man’s Arrest

In late August, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) received a tip that several cats in a Brooklyn, NY, home were in need of medical attention. HLE Special Investigator Diane DiGiacomo visited the home, where resident Richard Manmarino cooperated by bringing all five of his cats—two adults and three kittens—to the front door for visual inspection. While the adult cats appeared to be in decent health, the kittens were all severely dehydrated, emaciated and infested with fleas. After Manmarino agreed to sign custody of the kittens over to the ASPCA, Agent DiGiacomo immediately brought them to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for medical evaluations.

ASPCA veterinarians rated the sick, underweight kittens “4”s on a condition-rating scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the best (healthy) and 5 being the worst (critical). Among other treatments, all three received life-saving blood transfusions to treat blood loss anemia, a dangerous condition that was the result of having been fed on by fleas. Named Sunny, Vaughn and Klaus by hospital staff, the 5-month-old kittens are now on the road to recovery and are expected to soon be made available for adoption.

Without medical care, the kittens would have died—and failure to provide adequate veterinary care can be a cruelty offense in New York State. On September 19, Manmarino was arrested and charged with three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, he could be fined and sentenced to up to two years in jail.

If you know of an animal whose health is being compromised by neglect, please report it. Visit our Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty in your neighborhood.

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Submitted by Pedro at: November 10, 2009
Animal abuse really needs to stop now!!!!!

Submitted by taylor at: October 28, 2009
animal cruelty is soooooo cruel

Submitted by alyssa at: October 26, 2009
i wish i could stop anamil abues my life dream is to be a vet, work at the aspca, and to live on a ranch watt ever i can do to he;p i would

Submitted by alyssa at: October 26, 2009
i just adopted 2 kittens their very frisk play ful and one is a little mean but we love them their my babies

Submitted by Courtney Casto at: October 15, 2009
I think that animal abuse is overrated.People who actually have the nerve to hurt and kill animals who are companions ot human beings.have problems.we are the animals voice we need to stop the abuse.

 

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