Dog News

No Prison Time for Patrick’s Abuser

by ADMIN

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Patrick, then and now
Patrick, then and now

 

The woman at the center of an extraordinarily high profile animal abuse case got no jail time at her sentencing hearing today.

Patrick, the pit bull who made a miraculous recovery after he was starved, stuffed in a trash bag and tossed down a garbage chute in Newark, NJ, touched hearts worldwide after images of his sweet but shrunken little face and his starved, discarded little body went viral online.

Supporters felt personally invested in Patrick’s recovery, and Patrick’s case was used to rally efforts calling for stricter charges and penalties in animal abuse cases.

Kisha Curtis, 29, pleaded guilty last month to fourth degree animal cruelty on the eve of her trial for the mistreatment of Patrick.  She was charged in the case in March of 2011 after Patrick was found near death in her apartment building’s trash. The sentencing hearing was held this morning.

Curtis was sentenced today to 18 months probation and forfeiture of any claim to Patrick, and must pay $2,000 to the New Jersey ASPCA, which provided emergency care to Patrick before he was transferred to Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ.

Curtis could have faced up to 18 months in prison.

While handing down his sentence, the judge noted that Patrick is now recovered and thriving and the state’s animal abuse laws have been strengthened as a result of his case. He said Curtis, a first time offender,  is unlikely to become a repeat offender.

 

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