ASPCA Makes Arrest in Case of Starving Puppies Abandoned in Apartment

Monday, January 14, 2013 - 12:00pm
Starving Puppy

Photos: [top] Jack and [bottom] Jill, before and after receiving treatment at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

Can you imagine leaving your pets behind in your former home, even in the worst possible circumstances? We can’t either. And yet, after Jerome Smith, 23, was evicted from his Harlem apartment, he chose to do just that to his six-month-old puppies.

When New York City Animal Care & Control officers opened the door to Smith’s former home in September, they found Terrier mix puppies Jack and Jill, all alone and in bad shape.

The officers called ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement, and our agents brought the pups to ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital right away.

ASPCA veterinarians found Jack and Jill to be dehydrated, malnourished and severely underweight. Jack weighed 12.7 pounds and Jill weighed 8.5 pounds. By contrast, after being fed a balanced diet and receiving treatment by ASPCA staff, Jack now weighs 36.5 pounds and Jill weighs 30.3 pounds—a 187 and 256 percent increase, respectively.

The ASPCA arrested Smith in December. He was charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.

Jack and Jill's story ends happily. On January 13, Jill was adopted! Jack is waiting for a forever family at the ASPCA Adoption Center, located in Manhattan. To learn more about how you can adopt Jack, please visit the ASPCA Adoption Center online.

Update 1/18/13: We are thrilled to report that Jack was adopted!

If you suspect you’ve witnessed animal cruelty, please report it.

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Humane Law Enforcement
NYC
We Were There

Comments

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 16:01 — Monica (Visitor)
well my comment is if you don't want your dog then take it to the Firedept or even the vet and maybe they can find a home for them but don't leave it without food and water wow

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 23:16 — Equalizer (Visitor)
What goes around comes around.

Fri, 01/25/2013 - 09:28 — kat (Visitor)
I total agree and if he gets mad then who cares because it is not right.

Tue, 04/02/2013 - 06:38 — asid (Visitor)
Don’t worry, it’s not at all about indoctrination on my part. It’s one of his favourite stories, and he’s not yet convinced of the importance of trees – in fact, he loves the machine that can cut down four trees in one blow. Let’s face it

Sun, 04/21/2013 - 15:55 — James (Visitor)
I totally agree. Just read a book about 2 kids who save a dog from dying. The dog was alone in a yard with no food,water,shelter,or love. I mean, who would do something like that to a dog that loves you so much. my golden retriever will lick me whenever she can. Just leaving your loving dogs is just a major disgrace.

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 19:10 — Connie Keeton (Visitor)
The problem is, people who abandon animals to starve don't get punished enough! A slap on the wrist, a few hundred dollars in fines. Make them work at a shelter for 5 years. Make them pay $5,000 at $1,000 per year. And if they miss one day at the shelter or one payment, jail time!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:37 — janice (Visitor)
i second that motion!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:45 — lisa church (Visitor)
amen!!! punishment isn't enough for that sob

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:47 — Amber Goetsch (Visitor)
Offenders should receive the same treatment inflicted on the animals in their care. The current punishments for these monsters isn't nearly enough!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:48 — Martha (Visitor)
This is precisely the problem.........

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:49 — Jennifer (Visitor)
I agree with you. These people get off way too easily. Since the guy didn't have money, which if he did, he should be paying back every cent the ASPCA spent on those two dogs. But make him work! He can go outside and pick up dog poop, or clean the kennels or walk the dogs at the ASPCA, or help the eldery keep their dogs by doing those errands for them! Oh and I hope he rots in hell.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:51 — Amanda (Visitor)
I agree with you!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:56 — Linda A Solomon (Visitor)
I so agree with Connie, when will the LAW LISTEN and prosecute these people????????????

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:40 — Joe A. Upstate NY (Visitor)
Politicians make the laws and they don't care, there's no big headlines or money in it for them so they don't bother. The animals can't contribute to campaigns and those of us who do donate to help the animals are regular working people who can't afford the money it takes to buy the political support needed.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:00 — angela (Visitor)
I totally agree. I wish there were stricter laws. Treat animal abusers just like you would treat child abusers...PERIOD.My husband found a 3 week old kitten abandoned in a Walmart parking lot. She didn't even weigh one pound and was ridden with fleas. Poor little baby. Now she is the most loving cat around. I am her mommy and she follows me around every where.I don't get how someone could abandon such a helpless animal. Her name is Punkin and she is mommy's best friend

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:52 — Nancy Schweitzer (Visitor)
Wonderful story of this rescue of the kitty. Two years is not nearly enough for the guy who abandon the puppies.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:52 — Nancy Schweitzer (Visitor)
Wonderful story of this rescue of the kitty. Two years is not nearly enough for the guy who abandon the puppies.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:52 — JANICE PICCIRILLI (Visitor)
Unreal...I had a cat named Punkin years ago. Bless you and enjoy her!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:05 — Patty (Visitor)
Straight to jail, keep him far away from shelters, to good for him. Fines and JAIL!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:06 — Brenda Tucker (Visitor)
I don't agree with making someone that would leave pups behind to starve work at a shelter for their punishment!!!if they're heartless to leave an animal to starve then I'd be afraid they would hurt another animal!!! Fines need to be higher and longer sentences. This should be a felony not a misdamener !! Thank you for your live and work for protecting and saving gods animal. We so need one of these orgs in West Virginia!!! The treatment to animals here are horrific!! Law enforcement won't do anything!!!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:56 — JANICE PICCIRILLI (Visitor)
DISAGREE....Cause they would have to be overseen by another Shelter worker, and any funny business reported to the court who ordered this as part of their sentence.It may not change their poor view of animal care, but clean enough poopy cages and liter boxes....it is supposed to be PUNISHMENT, NOT FUN!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:16 — Anna (Visitor)
I worked at an animal shelter for four years, the last thing we'd have wanted were employees convicted of animal cruelty working in the shelter. There are enough weird people with power/control issues who are attracted to working with animals and most shelters - even the better ones - are extremely underfunded for all the work they do, the number of animals, etc. Even having another staff person paid for by the courts to supervise someone wouldn't be enough to feel the animals were safe if someone resented being there and didn't have any empathy for animals. It's a nice idea - but I'd rather take the money they pay in fines to enhance the quality of life of shelter animals than bring some jerk in who might take advantage of caged and already highly stressed animals. And if you care for animals - scooping poop and caring for them is a privileged job - if you can afford to work for such low wages!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:41 — Claudette Possani (Visitor)
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENT, IF THE JERK IS A CONVICTED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY, HOW CAN HE CARES FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER......I´D PREFER HIS MONEY INSTEAD... BETTER CHOICE.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:04 — Lois McGuire (Visitor)
It's a felony in Alabama. It should be everywhere. Offenders should be thrown in jail and given the same treatment.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:08 — georgiegirl (Visitor)
I say give them more jail time and a higher fine. The only people I want working at the animal shelters are ones that truly love all animals, not someone that is being punished. Too bad they can't have an 'animal abuse offenders' list and never be able to own another animal, period.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:58 — Judy Ricky (Visitor)
People who mistreat innocent animals have no morals or values. They should never be allowed to have a pet in the first place. I know, many folks believe that these people are the way they are because they were mistreated as children, or ignored, etc. etc. Well, I'm of the belief that there are some people in our world who are just plain mean, selfish, and have no ability to change. Michael Vick is a prime example. I know he's supposed to be rehabilitated yadda, yadda....but he's just a dirt bag who had no regard for anyone/anything but himself and he still only cares about himself. This "face" he puts on for the public is just so he can continue to rake in the bug bucks. If he lost his ability to play football tomorrow and could no longer make a ton of money, he would be right back fighting dogs and killing them when they don't perform. I have no patience for any of these so called "humans" who can look at a beautiful creature (dog, cat, horse, donkey, elephant, etc) and torture them. The sad thing is the animal is forgiving and will always come back. Not so with me. I hold major grudges against anyone who harms an animal and thank God there are people who rescue, mend, and love the animals that are fortunate enough that someone found them in time. My heart aches for those who never have a chance. So I have no sympathy or desire to even try to help the people who do these horrific things. I would just send them right to the chair.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:31 — georgi (Visitor)
Hear! Hear!!!! I totally agree!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:08 — Barbara Frasier (Visitor)
When you don't value your own life - you don't value anyone else's either whether they be 2 legged or 4 legged. Granted cruel and inhumane to say the least but I question part of the punishment being made to work @ a shelter where compassion and nurturing should be paramount in caring for abused and abandoned animals something this person you would hope would learn from being exposed to the harsh realities @ shelters HOWEVER if he is already callous and unfeeling he might just be put in a position where he would further abuse helpless animals. I'm just saying I would want him monitored during any and all time spent @ a shelter. We've all heard horror stories about how some workers at shelters are the worst perpetrators committing henious acts of cruelty against those they are paid to protect.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:23 — Littie Bayer (Visitor)
I agree with you, they need severe punishment for people letting a pet starve.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:37 — Maria E. Pierson (Visitor)
I truly believe that someone who doesn't love animals is something wrong with them. One doesn't have to adopt or have one but to mistreat them is a psychotic behaviour. The law has to change!!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:46 — Diane Mendez (Visitor)
I absolutely agree - these people are psychotic and cowards. We don't have to adopt pets so if you don't want to love them and take care of them don't bothering getting pets. So that tells you what kind of people these are - they are sick and should really get more than a slap on the wrist for the cruel and unnecessary treatment they give to these helpless animals.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:38 — Jessica (Visitor)
They look so much better!!! God Bless the people who saved these precious dogs!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:40 — D (Visitor)
I agree there should be far harsher punishments. If it was a human baby left behind the parents would be jailed and scorned. These are beautiful living souls and I hope they find wonderful forever families.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:44 — MJD (Visitor)
I, too, do NOT understand how anyone could do this!!! If you can't keep a pet, for whatever reason, bring the pet to a shelter!!!! This guy should get the two years, and the fine, and NEVER be allowed to adopted or purchase a pet EVER AGAIN!!!! AND, while in prison, be starved for as long as those poor puppies were starved!!! An eye for an eye!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:24 — Cindi (Visitor)
I agree with MJD.......an eye for an eye. Lets do to the animal abusers what they have done to their pets. Animals do not choose their families. But they do expect to be loved and treated with kindness. If you can't do that then don't get a pet. We need tougher laws for animal abuser, but in America, people get off to easily!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:29 — JFF (Visitor)
I completely agree! Maybe if they feel the pain, that touch of reality just might make a difference. And if not, then send a VERY CLEAR MESSAGE to them (and others), that 'actions will definately have consequences'!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:44 — PAMELA NEWELL (Visitor)
Your animal, no matter what it is, depends on us for everything they need to live. I hope God never deals this man what he deserves for leaving these pups to DIE.... Shame on you Jerome...you should hang your head in shame and ask the devine powers that be to "Forgive You".

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:44 — Lori LaBossiere (Visitor)
I can't believe that someone can be that heartless. Put him back in his apartment with no food or water, then make him work at a animal shelter. I just don't understand how you could harm such a sweet animal.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:45 — Kevin (Visitor)
10 minutes in a locked room with a phone book and a roll of dimes.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 17:03 — Barbara Fiorica (Visitor)
To ten minutes in a locked room with a phone book and a roll of nickles, I like where you're going but it's not enough. I say, incarcerate the jerk, and give you 10 minutes with him EACH DAY he's in jail to do your thing. It would be so much more effective, though, if you had five years to do it rather than just a few months. Since this is a national problem, our useless government should make it a felony country-wide. And if an animal dies due to cruel treatment and/or torture, automatic life for you, loser.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:46 — Roger L. Cotterman (Visitor)
I would like the see the abusers of animals treated the way that they have treated the animal, with no BS outcries from human rights groups. These people need to understand that if they abuse an animal they are going to jail, get a fine and be banned from having animals for the rest of their lives.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:49 — Helen Franklin (Visitor)
I have seven rescue dogs and I love everyone of them. One of my dogs was feed freon by his previous owner in hopes he would die I guess, but thanks be to the very wonderful vet he survived, he has seizures but a more loving nurturing dog I have ever had the pleasure of owning. Shame on anyone who choses to abuse an animal, they are losers from the get go.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:47 — p (Visitor)
There is a direct correlation between animal abuse and abuse of children. Those who abuse animals will in-turn abuse children. The are directly linked.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:48 — Joan (Visitor)
They should not give a slap on the wrist. Let him stay a long time in jail for what he did. There are prisoners that are animal lovers if they found what he had done to these angels.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:48 — jenny (Visitor)
This is just deplorable. One of my rescue kitties was abandoned in an apartment where the maintenance crew found him. He is such an awesome little guy. For many people, animals are like trash... disposable when they are done with them. We need much stricter penalties.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:48 — Tricia Rickard (Visitor)
too bad someone didn't take both of them - everything they have been through together - I would have taken both! Just sayin'

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:30 — R Mattson (Visitor)
I too wish that the pups could have stayed together in their next forever loving home. After all they went thru together, its sad to think that now one of them is alone. I hope he gets an awesome new home, very soon! Thanks to all that worked to save these pups! You are amazing!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:48 — Jennifer (Visitor)
The penalties need to be much stifffer. How long before we take seriously the connection between animal cruelty and other offenses. Look at what just happened in Jersey. The man was killing cats before he stabbed that woman in Bed Bath and beyond.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:50 — susan (Visitor)
why would this be a misdemeanor???? what is wrong with the State of New York that they would not have laws mandating stricter punishment for this type of crime!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:50 — Chan (Visitor)
I have absolutely ZERO tolerance when it comes to animal cruelty. I wish the person(s)who is guilty of such inhumane acts as starving their pets - have to endure the same torture for the same amount of time the pets did. There is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE for animal cruelty! NONE WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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