ASPCA Announces Two Arrests in Manhattan for Aggravated Animal Cruelty

NEW YORK, December 22, 2007—Special Agent Adam Gankiewicz of the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) arrested two Manhattan residents on separate charges of aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, on Tuesday, December 18.

Sarah Favorite of Manhattan, a 25-year-old AIDS counselor, was arrested for beating a cat inside an apartment at 510 E. 86th Street. The cat, a 17-year-old male Siamese named Yoda, belonged to her boyfriend. Yoda suffered fractures, three broken legs and severe trauma from being beaten, throttled, and slammed to the floor over a two-day period, from November 29 to November 30. Yoda was taken by his owner to a local animal hospital where he was euthanized.

Douglas Bolton of Windsor, New York, who is 24 and unemployed, was arrested for punching and kicking a seven-year-old male miniature pinscher named Franklin on December 9. Franklin belongs to a female acquaintance who resides at 354 E. 91st Street. He was taken to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital and treated for injuries to his head and eye, before being released to his owner.

Both Ms. Favorite and Mr. Bolton face up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine.