A Bronx man pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after he abused a puppy, including slamming her against the floor causing a leg injury resulting in amputation.
Roberto Martinez, 25, of the 900 block of Leggett Avenue will be sentenced to a year in jail, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office announced.
“The defendant’s abuse of an eight-month-old dog culminated in a leg injury leading to amputation of the limb,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said on Friday. “Such inhumane actions warrant a jail sentence. We will not tolerate cruelty to defenseless animals.”
Martinez pleaded guilty to Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal, a felony. As part of the plea agreement, Martinez will be sentenced on Nov. 15 to one year in jail, must register as an animal abuser in the state registry and is not permitted to own an animal for five years. He was remanded pending sentencing.
According to the DA, on Sept. 10, 2016, Martinez was seen on video lifting an approximately eight-month-old, mixed breed dog then-named “Sassy” by her harness to about shoulder height. Martinez then slammed Sassy to the floor, causing her to land on the backside of her body. Sassy tried to run away, but her right leg was rendered useless.
Martinez then lifted Sassy by the neck and pushed her upwards on the staircase before entering an apartment. His girlfriend, who owned the dog, brought her to the ASPCA, telling veterinarians the dog had fallen down stairs. Evidence of prior animal cruelty including broken ribs was discovered and NYPD was called in.
The dog’s right hind leg was amputated on Sept. 16, 2016.
“The ASPCA continues to be thankful for partners like the NYPD and Bronx District Attorney’s Office in the fight against animal cruelty in New York City. Sassy – now named Sally – was rescued from a life of cruelty and pain … and now has a new home thanks to this collaboration,” Vice President of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Howard Lawrence said. “We’re grateful to the NYPD and Bronx District Attorney for bringing Sally’s abuser to justice.”
