Press Release

ASPCA^® Announces Arrest of Manhattan Man for Severely Beating Dog

April 2, 2009

ASPCA Media Contact

NEW YORK—Humane Law Enforcement agents of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) arrested Manhattan resident Richard Smith earlier this week for aggravated animal cruelty and assaulting his girlfriend.

On March 31, the suspect was arrested for severely beating a 2-year-old Shiba Inu belonging to his girlfriend’s sister on separate occasions during the last few months. The dog, named Michigan, was seen in distress on March 25 and was taken to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital where veterinarians discovered that she had sustained a dozen fractured ribs and suffered from trauma. Michigan was released from the hospital and reunited with her owner.

Smith, 24, was charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty and assault. He faces up to two years in jail for aggravated animal cruelty, one year for assault and a $2,000 fine.

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.

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