By now, many of you are aware of the horrendous story out of Newark concerning a severely emaciated one-year-old Pit Bull named “Patrick” who was found by building caretakers at the bottom of a trash compactor in a housing complex located at 195 First Street. The dog was barely alive and hardly moving in the trash chute when he was found by a maintenance man who called authorities.
Kisha C. Curtis, 27, of Newark, was charged in municipal court on March 29 with animal abuse for leaving her dog unattended at the Garden Spires apartment complex in Newark, it was announced by Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.
“This is a very sad case of a helpless dog left unattended,’’ Murray said. “The information we have now indicates the defendant tied the dog to a railing and left the state of New Jersey for more than a week.’’
Veterinarians at Garden State Veterinary Specialists caring for Patrick (named so because he was found on March 16, the day before St. Patrick’s Day) said he would have died if he had not received medical care. They said it will be months before he is ready to be adopted.
Complaints signed by Newark Municipal Court Judge Diana Montes charged Curtis with abusing the dog by leaving him in situation where he was abused, neglected and deprived of adequate food and water. The charges currently pending against Curtis are disorderly persons offenses. The maximum penalty is six months in jail on each count (editor’s italics). There could also be fines and mandated community service. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case and will determine the final charges, and whether the matter remains in municipal court or is removed to Superior Court.
Currently, Curtis is in custody in Passaic County on unrelated charges. She is expected to be transferred to Essex County where she will be arraigned on March 31. Bail has been set at $10,000. Many animal lovers are outraged at the light sentence Curtis will receive if found guilty. That is because New Jersey considers crimes against animals misdemeanors. If these types of crimes were elevated to felony status, the penalties would be much more severe.
A couple of loyal Baristanet readers—and animal lovers—offered their opinions on the matter:
“I fail to understand why anyone who has no obligation to take care of an animal, living in a society in which there are countless resources to humanely surrender that animal, would opt to torture it instead of surrender it,” said Necole Jadick Fabris. “If a child were shoved down a garbage chute, the legal system would throw the book at the offender. Why is it that sentient beings, such as domesticated animals, are of such less value that when subjected to torture, the torturer is charged with a misdemeanor and not a felony?
“We humans domesticated these animals, and in doing so, we accepted the responsibility to take care of them. Beating and/or starving a helpless animal (whose helplessness we essentially created) is an act of depravity so deeply rooted in all that is wrong and evil in the world that it leaves me utterly speechless.”
Karen Banda agrees that animal torture, abuse, or killing should carry the same penalties as if a child were involved. “Animals are just as innocent, defenseless and for all their lives, voiceless. They never get to a stage in life when they are finally able to tell their stories or report their abusers or abuses. For some reason this idea makes certain people see red, as if raising penalties for crimes against animals to those equal to crimes against children somehow devalues children but I don’t see it that way. I believe the status of animals should be raised in society to acknowledge their existence as sentient creatures who feel pain, stress and fear.”
Banda cites the animal abuse case involving football player Michael Vick as an example of society’s willingness to look the other way when it comes to crimes against animals. “He tortured and killed animals in horrible ways with his own bare hands and he’s once again a celebrated NFL star. Some will say he paid for what he did to the dogs. He didn’t. His penalties had nothing to do with the actual torture and killing of those dogs. It’s disgusting and very distressing.”
What say you? Should crimes against animals, such as the one illustrated in this story, be elevated to felony status with stiffer penalties?
No matter what your opinion, there is a definite link between human and animal violence and many violent criminals have a history of abusing animals:
You can learn more about Patrick and how to help on the Garden State Veterinary Specialists web site and at www.njspca.org.
Patrick also has his own Facebook page where people can send good wishes and money to help cover his medical expenses.
I didn’t think I could be shocked anymore by how horrible humans can be to defenseless animals until I saw this story a couple of days ago. As someone who has worked for over 20 years (as a volunteer) with Greyhound Friends, an organization in Mass. that saves “retired” greyhounds (it was a photo of what happened to those poor, sweet dogs after their racing days were over, that got me involved with this group. Just shocking!), it is imperative that animal cruelty be labeled a felony everywhere in this country (not just NJ).
I also agree with Karen’s quote about Michael Vick. As a kid (and as the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor) I heard my elder’s hiss (literally) whenever a photo of a Nazi came on tv or on a movie screen. I now do that whenever I see or read anything about Michael Vick. He should be in prison, not the NFL.
This was such a horrific case of abuse, I definitely agree with Karen Banda that animal abuse like this should be punishable just as abuse of a child should be. I know a lot of people with kids may disagree but to me, as to Karen, they are both a case of someone in a position of trust betraying that trust in a heinous way and it is inexcusable, inhuman and despicable.
However, I would like to add that I just heard recently that they’ve upgraded the charges to include torturing an animal, so this “thing” that masquerades as a person will at least be punishable with up to 18 months in jail instead of just 6 months. Plus a larger fine of $3000. Still not close to enough but it’s an improvement.
I agree, it must be similar to the ” trust ” that an unborn baby must put in the mother that she will deliver him/her into this world safely.
The problem is once we get into animal cruelty laws we begin to effect the food chain and how that industry behaves. I’m not saying we shouldn’t do that, but that is a big business and big business doesn’t like to be told how to do things.
HRH: Someone brought this up on my Facebook page re: the food chain and the food production industry in this country, particularly that involving animals. I agree, it’s complicated.
I don’t expect things to change overnight but I WOULD like to see the laws changed in cases of outright neglect and cruelty as they pertain to animals kept as pets (such as the case above) or with the raising of domestic animals for profit (puppy mills) or sport (cock fighting, dog fighting). It’s not the whole answer but it’s a start.
The case above is only one of the many I read about on a daily basis. It’s sickening.
Our cat, Twinkie, was left in an abandoned apartment with five kittens and no food or water. Thank God the landlord finally went in and found them.
What should they do ??
Lock that itch up in a jail cell and do not feed her for the same amount of time that the dog went with food. THEN, and ONLY then will she learn……… maybe !
The simple, simply obvious answer to the question above is “Yes.” Not least because animal cruelty is often a pretyt good indicator of greater evils to come in malefactors.
Jeffrey Dahmer started out torturing animals, as I recall..
Yes research does indicate that animal brutality is a sign of a disturbed person who is likely to commit greater offenses on humans. But I believe that it’s more likely animal torture rather than neglect that leads to extreme Dahmer like behaviors.
I’m unconvinced that making this a felony would correct the mentality of people who show so little value to the animals in their care.
Who cares if it “corrects their mentality,” DagT? It punishes them and gives allows others already doing time (with bad mentalities of their own) ample, uh, “access” to them for rehabilitative purposes.
Sure! Lock ’em up!
the Us already has 2.3 millions behind bars. 751 out of every 100,000. The highest rate of incarceration in the world. What’s a few more?
How about a compromise? Let the pot smokers out and put the doggie beaters in.
croiagusanam, your idea works for me!
There is also a movement to improve the treatment of animals raised for food. That’s another horror. It all seems endless, but elevating crimes against animals to felony status is a step in the right direction.
I think it’s been a fair while since mere pot smokers did time, croiagusanam. Dealers are a different matter entirely, and I think there really are people out there who’d rather both earn money by selling drugs as opposed to working at something legit and also have no interest whatsoever in paying taxes on their ill-gotten gaons.
And if we have the highest percentage of incarcerated citizens, well, it may to some extent just be a function of better policing. We seem to take street crime more seriously, and react better to it, than other places do. (Scandinavia once imagined itself a low-crime area, then American bike clubs established chapters there and the crime rates shot up while the cops were simply overwhelmed by anti-soxial types doing what bike clubs do everywhere, giving the lie to the concept of a socialist paradise up north full of happy blond and bland folk who all shop at Ikea, drive Volvos and cross only at the green between bites of pickled herring.
Posting this disturbing photo was an error in judgment on the part of the Baristas.
As anyone with a heart, I’m shocked, angered and horrified by this person’s cruelty, this wanton disregard to cause a helpless animal to suffer, who should be a friend. This conduct cannot have any justification, but it quite probably could be understood clinically as the product of a warped mind. I blame the parents, such as they may be, almost as much as the perpetrator, though it’s possible a genetic defect makes this person simply unable to empathize with others beings. I really couldn’t say but it’s sickening and a cold reminder that there really are monsters out there.
As far as the level of crime goes, and it is a crime, I don’t think it runs to felony. There is, and should be, a very clear distinction between human and animal victims. A felony conviction strips a person of their voting rights and other rights, and again, while this is a horrid crime, I do not think the permanent loss of civil rights is justified for crimes against an animal.
This person should be locked up but probably needs treatment.
Unclenunzie, I disagree vehemently. Anyone capable of deliberately starving a dog, watching him deteriorate to the point that Patrick did then discarding him in a dumpster while still alive has no redeeming value. She’s barely human herself, and I’m not particularly interested in why she’s the way she is, just as I wouldn’t care if she’d done the same to a child. She doesn’t deserve an civil rights. JMHO.
Walleroo: I thought long and hard about wanting to include a photo with this article. Of course, the editors have the final say but they agreed. Let the world see what this woman did to this dog. Let the people who write our laws see. No more sugar-coating.
This photo, by the way, is one of the tamer ones.
Unclenunzie: I agree with Karen on this one, too. I don’t have too much sympathy for this woman. Also, she is not a minor (not that it would make much of a difference to me). She is in her late 20s, certainly old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. In all of the news reports I read, I didn’t see any references to her being declared mentally impaired in any way. At any rate, she’s too old for society to be blaming it on her parents.
The only point where I disagree with Karen is referring her to as “barely human.” She IS human and that’s the point: Humans are capable of some of the most vile acts against animals and their fellow humans.
I agree with Karen Banda. How could anyone with even remotely human feelings do what this woman did? It is inexcusable. And the Michael Vick situation makes me crazy…I guess football is more important than
the fact this the creep tortured and electrocuted innocent animals.Shame on us as a society.
What makes me feel really sad when I read about dogs like Patrick is knowing that there are other animals like him out there, who won’t be fortunate enough to be rescued. Elevating the crime might be one way to
stop the abuse.
I also get sick of hoarders being excused…They are equally as abusive….Think about the dogs in the house from Clifton last summer who has to be euthanized because the woman allowed them to live in such horrendous conditions.
P.S. If there are alot of typos in this, it is because my cat keeps walking across my keyboard. I think he wants to stand up for the animals, too.
Why is it that our expectation is that animals shouldn’t behave like “animals” such as when biting or attacking a human, and when they do they are often swiftly dispatched, but when humans behave like animals our expectation is lowered? The Times’ Mark Bittman wrote an interesting piece a few weeks back “Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others,” where he discussed the disparity in laws protecting animals kept as pets versus those raised for food. State laws known as “Common Farming Exemptions” allow industry — rather than lawmakers — to make any practice legal as long as it’s common. I feel we have an obligation to treat all animals — companion and farm — with dignity. Certainly no one should profit from cruelty.
Felony. Period. Forget the comparisons to children etc. That just distracts from the issue at hand. Animal cruelty = Felony. Case closed.
I agree Nelli – I also get sick of hoarders being excused. I have less then no sympathy for that condition. ( I have a friend with it so I know it is like communicating with a brick wall – but still less then no sympathy)
I saw the Hoarders show and they found more cat remains then cats in one woman’s home and yet she expected to be allowed to keep animals.
hrhpgg, yes, they always allow the hoarders to have “one or two” animals. That’s like allowing an alcoholic to have one drink.
I’m sickened. And will be haunted by that photo for months. Cruelty and torture should be punished and farm animals should be treated humanely.
That photo is haunting as have been the others I’ve seen online. The most haunting thing is how sweet his eyes look. As if he’d be lovingly waiting for this horrible woman when she came back.
The family that does get to adopt him will be a very lucky one.
A visibly shaken witness said the woman, after she was hit, was able to make some sounds but that she was bleeding from the mouth and head and had to be taken away in an ambulance. “There was a puddle under her head,” the witness said. (from Patch on the pedestrian struck on Bellevue Ave.)
Here’s another photo op for Baristanet. Let’s let the world see what these bad drivers do to innocent pedestrians.
I would rather not see the visual. The story is bad enough. Honestly. I did not sleep last night. Held my dog all night. I also faint at the sight of blood.
Well, if it’s any consolation, Patrick is improving every day, according to his Facebook page. He is eating and gaining weight, barking like a normal dog and even had a bath. He will soon no longer resemble that photo, thankfully.
Thanks, Martta. I’m happy to hear that. Maybe I’ll sleep better tonight.
Just read that the accused has pleaded not guilty to all charges. That’s not good because now this will go to trial and the possibility exists that she will not receive the max sentence. Let’s hope the judge and jury don’t fall for her lies.
I read that too Marta and that her mother said she doesn’t’ abuse the dog. WTF !
Can we have the mother charged with something ? If this was a child starved the grandmother would be arrested if she knew and didn’t do anything.
Lots of people had to see this. That they chose to do nothing speaks volumes.
She pleaded not guilty??? WTF???
Yup.
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/newark_woman_pleads_not_guilty_3.html
You’re really surprised she pleaded not guilty? The bastard who shot the congresswoman and killed that 9 yr old girl pleaded not guilty. The bastards are NEVER guilty. I’m not surprised at all.
No animal is more equal than others, or shouldn’t be. What happens to factory farmed animals makes me sick to my stomach. We can positively affect they’re treatment also. What is needed is more people who care, really care, to get busy and get active and fight for what they believe is right. Until that happens nothing will change.
Patrick is one of the lucky ones. He was found and instead of being put down he was nursed back to health. (I have my own opinions of the reasons for that but I’ll not get into them here.) There are a disturbing number of animals on FB with followers and supporters who are making their way back to health and hopefully the lives they deserve. The unlucky ones are the ones who suffer and die in annonymity. Those are the animals I cry for.
Well said Karen Banda. For every Patrick that is saved there are probably two or three that suffer hideous acts of cruelty in complete isolation and anonymity. In addition to companion and farm animals, we also need to be vigilant with regard to the treatment of animals in circuses, zoos, and places like Sea World. I’d like to see the use of animals in circuses banned altogether. And zoos should be allowed to exhibit animals only if they can guarantee spacious enclosures that mimic the animals’ natural habitat. I recently went to the Central Park Zoo and left thoroughly depressed.
I should have done a better job of proofreading, but when I’m fired up I sometimes can’t type fast enough to keep up with the anger…and I typed pretty damned fast.
I don’t agree with everything PETA stands for and in many regards they’re (correct use this time!) not all they seem to be. But when it comes to factory-farmed animals, circuses, zoos and penalties for animal abuse of any sort they are right on.
I wish there was a way to punish all those who passed by that poor pup and watched him deteriorate, slowly, day by day. It reminds me of that godawful “art exhibit” in some miserable country a few years back where an “artist” tied up a dog in a public exhibit and let it slowly starve to death.
Some nights (and days) I can’t get all of the horror stores out of my head.
I had a horrible experience Friday and lost one of my cats in a very freak accident. I’m still in shock and heartsick, knowing where he was and not being able to get to him in time to save him. Anyone who can deliberately starve or harm an animal and watch it suffer and not be affected by it is not human.
please sign a pettition to increase the maximum sentence and inact Patrick’s Law https://www.thepetitionsite.com/10/maximum-sentence-for-patricks-abuser/