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 - 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:52 — Ingrid E. Albrecht (Visitor)
Immanuel Kant stated, "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." It is obvious that this man has NO HEART. I agree that the punishment for animal cruelty is not harsh enough. These crimes continue and often lead to abuse of humans. It should be dealt with immediately and in a much harsher way.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:52 — Jaded Mage (Visitor)
Why did this moron get these animals in the first place? People who can sleep at night after doing something like this own a special place in hell...

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:53 — Martha (Visitor)
I'm so glad that arrested that dirtbag. I hope they give him the maximum sentence for this. My neighbors left their dog to fend for herself and I fed her until she was picked up by animal control.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:53 — Grace (Visitor)
I think the punishment should be much more severe

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:56 — Karen Blasius (Visitor)
I truly believe there is a special place in hell for anyone who abuses an animal or a child because neither one really defend themselves.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:57 — Lisa Carnley (Visitor)
I agree with all of the comments made above. This is why I am a member of the ASPCA and give my monthly gift. These poor babies need our help because so many monsters like this guy are out there, but the punishment does need to be worse or it is never going to stop!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:58 — Denise Latimer (Visitor)
These poor innocent animals' suffering at the hands of this callous, heartless individual is horrifying and absolutely a premeditated criminal act. Two years is NOTHING and they will probably let him out in a few months. Anyone that would do that to innocent creatures totally dependent upon him - lock the door and leave them to die a slow, agonizing death from dehydration and starvation is a heartless monster. Lock him up and deprive him of water and food and maybe it will knock some sense into him. What a despicable, disgusting excuse for a human being. We must stiffen the laws for animal abusers - make it a felony and give them a solid 10 years for 1st offense, 2nd offense - throw away the key! They don't deserve to be amongst society.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:00 — Adam Jasmick Jr. (Visitor)
Just as some humans should never be parents, there are people who should never be "parents" to animals. It may sound unrealistic, but with the downturn in the economy and millions of families losing their homes and/or jobs, those with animal companions who are part of the "family" should take time to call for HELP. Animal Humane Societies and Animal Rescue Groups can be called for help. Abandoning a "family member" is not the act of someone who truly cares for the welfare and safety of a feeling creature. Thank God for the ASPCA. Wish more towns and cities were able to do more for abused, neglected and abandoned animals.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:00 — Elizabeth Williams (Visitor)
Our Creator looks down and hates what cruel people do to innocent animals. See Proverbs 12:10. These people are accountable to God.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:58 — KIRK (Visitor)
please give me 5 minutes in the room with this guy!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:01 — End Animal Abuse (Visitor)
I whole-heartedly agree not only on stiffer penalties for animal abusers (many who often go on to abuse humans) but also a national registry database of convicted animal abusers which could be checked whenever they wanted to try and adopt. it wouldn't stop back alley breeders just selling animals for the cash with no interest in the animal's welfare, but perhaps such a database would raise even more awareness.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:01 — Lana (Visitor)
What always strikes me about adandonment stories is how long it takes to find the animals. How did no one know? The landlord never visited the apartment? The dogs never barked and made someone wonder? You usually know if your neighbor has dogs. I would notice if my neighbors left and didn't come back! We need to be more conscious of the world around us and act, rather than assume that someone else will.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:01 — Michelle (Visitor)
Thank goodness these pups were rescued. I have no respect for anyone that treats animals poorly! I have shelter dogs, a pom and a "puppy mill " english bulldog. I also have 3 horses i rescued from the slaughter pen and 3 mistreated donkeys. How anyone can kill and eat a horse is sick!! I am a staunt advocate for animal rights!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:02 — pn (Visitor)
The punishment should fit the crime. However long those babies were left to starve should be how long this creep has to go without food, water, company, etc. Let him appreciate how it feels!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:04 — Ann (Visitor)
It's unfathomable to me that we live in a society that thinks pets are disposable. I live in a wealthy county in NJ, and in my development in the last 6 years, 3 of my neighbors left pets behind! People you see everyday and would never think they could do such a thing...but they do, and that's how I wound up with more pets than I anticipated, but I, and a few caring others adopted them. Yes, there needs to be stricter punishment for these heartless clods. Last summer I got out of my car in a Walmart lot and there was a dog in a hot car panting and suffering. I called the police and they said they couldn't break into the car. I was devastated. I asked him if he would turn his back if I did to save the dog. He did not respond...but I would have broken the window and faced the charges if I had to. After another 10 minutes they found the guy approaching the vehicle, and he had no identification or drivers license and he had not only the dog, but 2 children in tow. Yes, lock these people up and hit them hard where it hurts, in the pocketbook! Throw the book at them, they rightly deserve it.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:05 — Cheryl (Visitor)
Why wasn't this prosecuted as a felony? We, as human beings, need to change the laws and make these kinds of heinous acts FELONIES! This guy should be left to starve and thirst...let's see how long it takes him to BEG for mercy! Shame on scum like this but clearly he has no conscience (sociopath) or compassion. His treatment in jail should be just as harsh as what he inflicted on these two pups.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:06 — Danice (Visitor)
What a digusting person this man is. Unthinkable...

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:06 — T (Visitor)
There needs to be a registry for animal cruelty...just like sex offenders, etc. They should never be allowed to adopt or own a pet again!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:08 — joann ilgenfritz (Visitor)
I am happy that the aspca was alerted and saved these pets, however since they were together, probably played together, wouldn't it have been nice to adopt them together? Just saying. I worked with the aspca in Maryland forever and adopted siblings together - but at least they are going to have a far better life, I hope, then before - hope you check homes carefully -

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:09 — Veronica (Visitor)
I agree that punishment for animal cruelty needs to have more weight, but jail time isn't the best answer because we the taxpayer are paying for the criminal's time there. "Community service" in an animal shelter is best, and hopefully would make them see how much the animals need our love and support!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:10 — Pamela (Visitor)
Thank you for being there when Jack & Jill needed you. Sadly, this story was repeated across this country as homes were foreclosed and people moved and left their pets behind. Many were not found in time. I have moved across states 4 times and each time my cats and dogs moved with me.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:10 — Kim Fountain (Visitor)
I personally think that all foreclosures and eviction properties should be looked at immediately after the person(s)depart. I would volunteer my time and gas to inspect these properties for abandoned animals. All these people should be held accountable for their abandoning their animals.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:11 — alexis (Visitor)
this is so sad i have seen animals like this all the time when i walk around the park

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:18 — ginny (Visitor)
I hope that you call someone like the ASCPA when you see these dogs in the park.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:13 — Lanni Fish (Visitor)
One of my renters moved out and left a beautiful, half-grown pitbull pup behind, no food, no water, no shelter. She had told my rental agent earlier that it belonged to her boyfriend. When I found the pup, I called the police, who identified the boyfriend by linking with my renter's name. Turns out he was wanted, classified as dangerous, and by the condition of the house, with kicked-in doors, was abusive to my renter as well. I can only imagine the plans he had for that little dog. Evil begets evil, no doubt about it.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:16 — Pamela Leonard (Visitor)
This just goes to show people that everybody don't like pets. In this case we might have just saved their lives, the boy is 23 yrs old, seems to me like these to angels were going to be used to fight and or become bait. Sad that the ahole thought that to leave them would be best, but he probably is up to no good anyway.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:17 — Helana (Visitor)
He should be locked away w/no food or water and see how he likes it! If he treats animals this way imagine how he treats people. People like that do not deserve to have animals as pets!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:17 — Ginny (Visitor)
I wish that people were made to fill out an application and get a background check to be able to adopt or own a dog or cat. Also, someone that does this to an animal, should go to jail and never, EVER be able to adopt or own another living creature.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:18 — Susan Blocker (Visitor)
U.S. needs to work harder at creating harsher punishment towards ALL animal abusers. This guy received a slap on the wrist. If this were a child that he had abandoned he'd be underneath a jail cell. Animals are living breathing beings and they to deserve to be respected just like humans. This sub-human being abandoned two helpless puppies. He left them to starve and die. First he should be charged with abandonment, cruelty to animals and attempted murder. If no one had rescued these pups thgey would have died. Again I stress animals are living, breathing beings and there suffering is no less then human suffering. This sub human being needs to spend at least 5-10 years in jail and pay $10,000 fine. Stiffer penalties may curve animal abusers. Slap on the wrist is a joke and an insult to these two pups that nearly lost their lives.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:20 — john clegg (Visitor)
Just look at the faces before and after. You can see the stress and sadness. Look at the after, content and happy.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:21 — Gloria (Visitor)
Not sure I would want someone who would abandon a pet to work in a shelter. If he/she has so little regard for animals, I wouldn't trust them not to abuse a pet anywhere if not monitored at all times. If you abandon a pet you know it will starve...why would a starving pet taken into a shelter move them to do the right thing?

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:25 — calamity (Visitor)
This why pets need to not be labled as property in the eyes of the law. They have a heart. They have feelings. They give un conditional love. And no matter how they are mistreated they will still protect you. Hope jack finds a forever home.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:26 — Donna Hanneken (Visitor)
The laws are too lax in their fines and penalties! There needs to be a stiffer fine and jail time for such acts.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:29 — Linda Noll (Visitor)
A person who has no compassion is not to be trusted. You do not HAVE to have animal companions. Just compassion for any living thing. Anyone who gets in my face - stranger or acquaintance - because I have my cats and horses is not someone I CHOOSE to know or have anywhere near me. I do believe in an eye for an eye in circumstances like this. It has been proven time and again - that serial killers have a background of torturing and killing animals. There should be tougher laws on these type of things. I don't know how this guy could sleep at night. ---and it defies logic since there were alternatives. thanks for listening all.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:30 — Fabiola García (Visitor)
I would punish those who starve and mistreat innocent animals to a minimum of 1 year taking care of any of them, by feeding, bathing, cleaning their facilities, and not allowing to have any other pets at home, in order to avoid future misdeeds. People of that kind should be held responsible and punish by law.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:33 — Eleanor (Visitor)
I had a Yorkie & got to where I could not take care of her my heaalth was not good I gave her a good home with a family of 4 Mom & Dad & 2 children they were happy to have her

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:34 — Doreen (Visitor)
An eye for an eye I say. This guy should suffer the same fate or worse. Definitely prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Some people just make me sick.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:37 — Barbara B. (Visitor)
I cant see why anyone would do this to any animal.If Thomas does go to jail, why is it for only 2 years. I think if he is found guilty, he should get at least 5 years. After all if this was done to a human they would get more than 2 years. Animals need more rights. Animals dont get enough justice for what is done to them.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:38 — DKK (Visitor)
I am an attorney in ny. I am offering my services for free to prosecute this man. Someone needs to stand up for these poor defenseless and loving creatures.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:39 — craig (Visitor)
The problem with the animal laws is that the judges, prosecuters and attorneys just don't understand the laws. They need to have a special animal court to deal with scumbags like. this. Also Congress needs to stiffen the penalties for people ( I mean sickos) who treat poor defenseless animals in any cruel way... God bless all of the animals tonight who are suffering.lets get all of these animals to a safe place. Please adopt from a shelter and lets get all animals a home..... until there are none...

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:41 — Cynthia Wright (Visitor)
Make animal abuse a felony, with minimum mandatory sentence and fine.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:41 — Stefystef (Visitor)
I am happy to hear that both pets are adopted. I wish they were kept together but I am sure ASPCA has found them good homes. Maybe they can get to see each other every once in a while. I am unhappy that the charges were misdemeanors. What that jerk did should be a felony, with at least 5 years jail time. Crack down harder!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:42 — Ray (Visitor)
So happy for Jack, shame they had to be broken up.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:42 — Frank (Visitor)
I wonder if Mr, Smith would Iike to be locked away with no food or water

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:49 — Common Sense (Visitor)
This conduct is symptomatic of a gravely disturbed, heartless and malicious individual. The penalties for this sort of behavior directed toward another species of intelligent animal must be equivalent to child endangerment and child abuse. How will this person strike out and react in the next difficult situation he encounters? Will he drive through a group of school children waiting for a bus? Under most states' laws, no person can create a substantial risk to the health or safety of a child by violating a duty of care, protection or support. Our laws should protect equally the animals which we assume resonsibility for when we adopt them. We need to wake up and realize other living intelligent species experience the same feelings and emotions as humans. We need to make this dialog main stream. The benefits we will derive as a society will be universal. Whether we choose to admit it or not this sort of heartlessness circles back to what we saw displayed in Newtown Connecticut at Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14. BELIEVE ALL LIFE IS PRECIOUS. IF NOT THEN NO LIFE WILL BE VIEWED AS PRECIOUS.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:50 — kim hart (Visitor)
The sentece is not enough. This guy should have to stay in prison for several years and pay the fine and never be able to own an animal again. Thank God for the police and the ASPCA. These 2 are very lucky and the ones who get them are truly blessed.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:51 — Skinni (Visitor)
Ohio doesn't even have laws at all against animal cruelty. Ohio only now just passed a law against owning exotic animals. Ohio doesn't care about animal abuse, child abuse or domestic violence. Move to Ohio you can get away with murder.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:51 — Patty Fernandez (Visitor)
I get so upset with anyone who hurts an animal in any way - they should be treated and starved as punishment! One of my neighbors gave us a dog who was abandoned in his home with no food or water - we love him so much his name is Coco and what a love!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:55 — Tami (Visitor)
I think they need harsher punishment for people who abuse animals.Animals are living breathing entities just like us.Yes! They have all the feelings we do,also.Mostly unconditional love.They need to screen people better before adoption of any animal.Breeders included.

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