ASPCA Announces Arrests of Bronx Residents for Extreme Neglect of Dogs

NEW YORK, September 19, 2008 - Today, Humane Law Enforcement agents of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) arrested two Bronx residents for animal cruelty.

Special Agent John DeLaTorre arrested Daniel Coy, 32, outside 38 West 184th Street in the Bronx, for aggravated animal cruelty. On July 11, Coy brought his dog to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. The 11-pound silky terrier was having trouble standing, in renal failure, suffering from multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung. Unable to recover from these injuries, the dog was humanely euthanized.

Coy was deemed responsible for the dog’s injuries and charged with one count of felony animal cruelty. He faces up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Special Agent Joseph Vais arrested Brenda Santiago, of the Bronx, for neglecting her 12-year-old dog so severely that he became immobilized from lack of grooming. The dog, a male shih tzu, was discovered by the ASPCA on February 14. Unable to walk or see, he was taken to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, where veterinarians shaved down his matted fur, which was laden with trash, feces and filth. The shih tzu, renamed Buddy, has since been adopted.

Santiago was arrested by the ASPCA for misdemeanor animal cruelty at Bronx Criminal Court, where she appeared yesterday on an unrelated criminal charge. She has been charged with animal cruelty and faces up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.