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 - 10:56 — Laura (Visitor)
Another stupid human! Take them to a shelter, its NOT that hard...at least for him... he was letting those poor babies STARVE!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 10:56 — Judy (Visitor)
their pockets! I think the punishment and fine should be more substantial, 5 years and 10,000 dollars. 2 1/2 years and $5,000. for ea. pet tortured or whatever the rule is for torture/starvation/abuse and possibly murder for humans should apply.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:00 — Jaime Perez (Visitor)
It makes me sick to hear when people do these kinds of horrible things to animals. They babies didn't deserve to be left to die. I hope this monster gets thrown in jail with some very mean people -who happen to love animals!! Better yet, lock him away and strave him, see how it feels.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:08 — Brett Blumenthal (Visitor)
I hope this man goes to jail. A $2000 fine won't do enough to make him realize how awful what he did is.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:12 — jane (Visitor)
wow....

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:13 — Linda (Kat) Karnes (Visitor)
I am very happy for the pups; however, that monster who packed up and left them to starve should be charge with a felony, not a misdemeanor. He's a nasty piece of work and needs to be removed from society, mandatory mental health counseling on how to treat other living things, and he should be closely monitored when he is released to be sure that he never owns another animal in his lifetime. These kinds of people make me sick, and this behavior is unacceptable. If he did it once, he'll do it again.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:17 — Donna Abecasis (Visitor)
2 Years and or up to $2,000.00. IS NOT ENOUGH. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE THAN A CHILD STARVING IS STARVING.......ANIMAL OR PERSON! !!!!!! BEING ABANDONED IS JUST THAT!!!# THEY SHOULD MAKE IT SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS GET JUST WHAT THEY DESERVE. AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH....... WHO AGREES WITH ME! !!! I BET ALMOST EVERYONE

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:19 — Ali (Visitor)
This guy is getting a slap on the wrist for such a horrific crime. If our laws were stricter then maybe these awful people would think twice. He could have brought them to a shelter and chose to let them stay there to die. I am so glad they were found and there was a happy ending. But in so many cases it is not a happy ending and we need better laws! All animal a users should be on a registry list like sex offenders too in EVERY STATE! Jail time should be 10 plus years. These poor animals are innocent just like babies. I pray something changes.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:20 — Vickie (Visitor)
I believe either individuals who abuse/neglect animals will be reincarnated as a pet OR there is a special corner of hell reserved for them.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:25 — Marya Fitzgerald (Visitor)
This is for those commenters who want appropriate punishment for animal abusers. In addition to donating to organizations like ASPCA and your local rescue groups, send money to legal groups like Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). These wonderful people cannot do their work for free! In other words, put your money where your heart is and give them the wherewithal to pursue abusers in court and get abuse laws strengthened.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:26 — Brooke Knowles (Visitor)
How sad! I think he should never own a dog and two years in jail?Please! He won't care, $5,000 fine and 10 years in jail and That is just a minimum.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:26 — Donna Abecasis (Visitor)
2 Years and or up to $2,000.00. IS NOT ENOUGH. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE THAN A CHILD STARVING IS STARVING.......ANIMAL OR PERSON! !!!!!! BEING ABANDONED IS JUST THAT!!!# THEY SHOULD MAKE IT SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS GET JUST WHAT THEY DESERVE. AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH....... WHO AGREES WITH ME! !!! I BET ALMOST EVERYONE

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:28 — Darla Hill (Visitor)
This guy who left his Puppy's in his apartment after he was evicted is a Horror!!! He should never be allowed to have another animal!!!! Hope the Jugde throws the Book at him!!!!! I donate to the ASPCA every month!!!! They do great work!!!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:33 — kaye (Visitor)
I hope the judge throws the book at him for leaving these poor dogs. it happens so often now. trouble is judges only slap a hand of the criminal cause its an animal.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:34 — Tucker (Visitor)
I AM SOOOO HAPPY JILL WAS ADOPTED IN TO HER LOVING,CARING,SAFE,FOREVER FAMILY/HOME! IT IS HAPPY DANCE TIME IN HONOR OF JILL DOG!! I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR AN UPDATE ON JACK SO I CAN DO A HAPPY DANCE IN HONOR OF HIM!! TO BAD THEY WEREN'T ADOPTED TOGETHER!! )))))-; PRAYING JACK WILL BE ADOPTED SOOOOOON!! AS FOR THIS EFFIN PUNK WHO DID THIS TO THESE POOR DOGS, GO TO HELL! START IN JAIL,SUFFFER,GET THE CRAP BEATEN OUT OF YOU THEN GO TO HELL AN ROT!! HE BETTER THE HELL GET JAIL TIME AND NOT JUST A FINE!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:35 — Dave Zack (Visitor)
Could somebody at the ASPCA or NYPD provide a known address for Jerome Smith? I have some New York relatives that would LOVE to have a "little chat" with him. Please e-mail me the info to: davezack@roadrunner.com. Thank you. After Tony and Anthony have a "little chat" with Jerome, he'll no longer be a menace to society.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:42 — Denise (Visitor)
AWESOME. I like you

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:37 — Steve (Visitor)
When I was evicted, I lived in my car with my dog Lobo. I would have it NO other way. He was a friend for me every day. A life without him was unthinkable. He is gone now, and I miss him every day. How can anyone sleep at night knowing your dogs are scared and hungry. God!! Sick AH. I told him while holding his face, we live together or we die together. I know he got it.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:41 — Denise (Visitor)
Jerome Smith should be starved

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:44 — Joanne (Visitor)
He faces "up to 2 years and/or a $2,000 fine". He left them to die and that is what should be done to him but I realize that won't happen. He should get the max - two years and the $2K fine!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:45 — Jim Gibson (Visitor)
I have a Chi named Punkin. She is the love of my life and I would do ANYTHING for her. And no one, but NO ONE will ever hurt her, as long as I'm alive! I agree: We really need laws to treat these criminals like child abusers. Why is this not so already? What can we do about it? There is no love or loyalty on earth like that of a wonderful dog or cat.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:52 — Carol (Visitor)
Forget the fine or money..he probably won't do either...lock him up in a room with no food or water for as long as the dogs were left..

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 11:53 — penina (Visitor)
i cannot even imagine why people with no compassion or heart would take in a pet in the first place...why would they want to be "bothered"? that is all is must seem like to them, unless they think they would look "cool", or that it might be some quick fun. the person that wrote that punishment is an afterthought was right. heartless people are either bad seeds from the start, or have been abused and never given any love or compassion themselves. thank god for the aspca and the wonderful work that you do on behalf of these innocent creatures. makes me want to run home right now, and hug my two rescues!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:08 — Marliese Bonk (Visitor)
It never ceases to amaze me how many people ask "why did this moron/monster, etc. get these animals in the first place" after a severe cruelty case is discovered. Yet, each and every day we see animals abused in the most vile and reprehensible manner and how many commenters out there actually contact their legislators, DA's, Congressman, Sentators, etc.? Until we bombard law enforcement and politicos to enact tougher laws and punishment for abusers, nothing is going to change. In Pittsburgh PA last week, a man beat his ill German Sheppard to death with a metal rod - he hit the moaning animal 50 times before it died - and he'll most likely get off with a slap on the wrist. The abuser stated that he wanted to put his sick dog out of his misery in a "humane" manner and didn't realize it would take 50 blows to kill him! Imagine for one moment heinous, reprehensible people such as him living in your midst and not doing anything about it! Comments aren't enough - we need ACTION!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:10 — Amy (Visitor)
From Harlem?....what a chimp I don't care if he was 23 or 83 he should know better. He just didn't care. How can anyone raise a child like that..no regard for anything or anybody. Hope jail life is horrible for him, he deserves it.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 15:26 — marie (Visitor)
i agree ,i would really like to know who raises these heartless monsters.. chances are that he probably has seen the inside of a jail cell. people like that dont deserve to live with the rest of us..

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:13 — Cynthia (Visitor)
What I want to know is---where was the landlord?????? Who threw the guy out---no one heard the dogs barking---after someone moves out--a crew comes in to clean and paint----so who really is the culprit???

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:23 — JAMES CHURCH (Visitor)
I think the key part of this whole thing is that they charged they charged him with a MISDEMEANOR. He should have been charged wwith a felony. Until the punishment matches the crime it will never stop.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:33 — Kelley King (Visitor)
I'm so happy for them both! But cruelty is rampant in this world, towards animals, children, the elderly....and it is getting worse. What bothers me is the penalty for these things. In my state, we fought long and hard -- standing with signs in front of our state house, countless letter writing campaigns, and we finally got it changed from a misdemeanor to a felony, which is as it should be. I just wish these rotten individuals (I can't really call them people) would have nothing to do with animals. My hat is always off to the ASPCA and other law enforcement people who work so tirelessly. I love convictions!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:36 — Dee (Visitor)
What I can't understand is the punishment.... why can't we have stricter punishments for sickos like this!!!!!?????? Misdemeanor? Give me a break! Put him in a cell with no food and water for a week and see what happens! oh yeah right.... the bleeding hearts wouldn't stand for that, would they? I'm so glad these puppies are doing well, too bad they couldn't have been adopted together.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:40 — rose (Visitor)
They should post his picture, as well as the other horrible people out there that make a choice to hurt or abuse animals, post the pictures in anywhere the public has access, like the hot lines they have for pediphiles...but expecially in shelters etc, so that they don't have an opportunity to hurt another animal.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:48 — maria harrington (Visitor)
the laws need to be changed pets are considered possessions like a chair. they need tougher laws he has no regard for life

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:55 — LoveYourDNA (Visitor)
There is no such thing as evil, it's called bad or corrupt DNA... And we should do everything in our power to let science fix that!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:58 — Betsy (Visitor)
How can anyone be so cruel?! I rather starve myself to feed my doggies!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:59 — Catherine Nunez (Visitor)
I will never understand why and/or how people can abandon their pets. My feeling, is that all people who are guilty of this, should be arrested, and sent to jail. Let them suffer like their pets suffered, and they should never again be permitted to have another pet in their life.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:01 — Jen (Visitor)
This happened a lot out here in Phoneix during the housing "crash." People would be evicted or go into foreclosure and leave their pets in the backyard or in the house and just leave the door cracked so they could get in and out. The worst is when they would do it during the summer months when our temps can reach the 120's. :( They would crack open a big bag of food, fill up some water bowls and take off. Thank goodness for attentive neighbors who assisted in rescuing some of these dogs, but it was usually a pretty sad deal.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:08 — Carolyn Clark (Visitor)
This ignorant, uncaring person deserves to go to jail and pay the fine, both!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:09 — Scott Champion (Visitor)
What is wrong with people today

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:11 — Lisa D'Ambrosio (Visitor)
I boggles my mind how anyone could do that. Take them to the shelter if you can't find anyone to take care of them!!! So glad this story had a happy ending for those 2 cute little dogs!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:14 — Dave hill (Visitor)
I'm just so happy for one that there are so many careing people still out there like all of you that added your comments about these two poor little angels that were left to die a most harable death,and two that as I write this comment , those same two little angels are living happy and healthy lives. As for the person responsible for this act, do unto him the same treatment!!!!!!! If I were able I would show no mercy what so ever. I believe it is time for the human race to stop allowing these sick individuals just a slap on the hand with no real punishment, if that person did this to a child it would have been all over the news, but because it was two puppies nobody hears about it. As for the one comment that said fear and pain are no way to raise any living creature , I agree BUT, there are points at which people cannot be reconditioned to the way they were brought up, and therefore should not become the reason why so many animals and yes people should have to suffer.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:16 — John W. Cassell (Visitor)
There is a special place in Heaven for the ASPCA volunteers and workers. My two rescue doggies remind me of that every day. I am a Guardian so I can at least help them with contributions.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:35 — Karen (Visitor)
Thsnk God, these precious dogs, were found alive, close to dying, but were saved.!!!! Animals do so much to save,and help humans, its horrific, sad, inhumane, to harm, neglect, abandon, starve, and murder or attempt to murder them.!!!!!! This owner/perp, deserves as much jail time as possible.!!!!! And to be banned from ever owning any animals the rest of his life.!!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:36 — Stephanie (Visitor)
It's very simple. People who do this have no empathy--it's why it's completely predictable that if someone abuses dogs they will abuse people. They do not feel the other's pain in any situation.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:38 — Normsky (Visitor)
How difficult would it have been to drop these babies off at a shelter?? I hate people sometimes (correction, often).

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:40 — catherine chandler (Visitor)
So glad they were both adopted. As for the owner all they will give him is a slap on the wrist and possibly pay a fine? I think after all these dogs went through that's not enough. He should spend the 2 years in jail and not allowed anymore animals ever. The law threats these abusers to easy and they don't think what the animals went through. They should ALL get Jail time.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:44 — bex (Visitor)
This man should either have to do the community a service for once week for the rest of his life and never ever be allowed pets again and if caught with a pet of any kind them death row is the only place for him. prison with three meals a day would be too good for someone like this. Animal cruelty is wrong. If he couldn't afford the dogs them he should have taken them to the shelter or never had them in the first place.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:54 — BJ (Visitor)
He should NEVER be allowed to have another animal or ever having kids! What the hell is causing 2-legged creatures to turn into such monsters? God help us all. . . .

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 13:58 — Melanie (Visitor)
People who abuse animals are sociopaths and are at high risk for abusing/killing people. Let's save time and prevent that by taking these pieces of crap out back and shooting them! I would live in my car or on the street before I'd leave my animals!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:03 — bex (Visitor)
I love your comment ... fair play I agree. or a better idea is people like this should be used as shooting practice for the army and maybe then we would have more soldiers come home. It would be like paying for their cruelty by helping our country out if you get me

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:54 — Donna Myatt (Visitor)
How could anyone mistreat a animal. They give so much unconditional love

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