ASPCA Announces Arrest of Queens Man for Aggravated Animal Cruelty

NEW YORK, November 6, 2007—Special Agent Richard Ryan of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) arrested Queens resident Pritesh Patel, 27, on the charge of aggravated animal cruelty, as well as criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child, on Monday, November 5.

On October 29, one week prior to his arrest, Mr. Patel became abusive toward Myrna, a 10-year-old female, mixed-breed dog he suspected of having an altercation with his dog. After the altercation, Mr. Patel left the lot where he and Myrna’s owner had been walking their dogs, armed himself with a heavy metal bar, returned and struck Myrna multiple times while Myrna’s owner and neighborhood children looked on. He then left the scene.

Myrna's owner brought her to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for emergency treatment, where veterinarians determined she was suffering from fractures of both bones in her right foreleg, as well as a broken left hind leg. Surgery was performed to correct her serious injuries, and Myrna was discharged from the hospital a few days later. She is currently recuperating from her injuries and is due soon for a post-operative recheck.