ASPCA Arrests Owner of Dog with Severe Neck Wound

Monday, January 14, 2013 - 11:45am
Pitbull with neck wound

In late October, New York City corrections officer Justin Burton, 35, brought one-year-old Pit mix Tori to NYC Animal Care & Control. Staff immediately noticed that Tori’s collar was deeply embedded in his neck, leaving an excruciating wound. They called ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement right away.

Agents took Tori to ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for evaluation and treatment. Our veterinarians found Tori to be in severe pain from the wound, which was estimated to be three weeks old and caused by an embedded collar. Tori was treated with pain medication and antibiotics, and he is continuing to recover at the hospital.

As for Burton, Agents arrested him on January 5. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Watch this blog for updates on Tori. He’s getting better every day, and when he’s fully recovered, he’ll be available for adoption!

Tori came to the ASPCA just over a month after Briana, another dog who suffered a painful wound caused by an embedded collar. Briana is available for adoption at the ASPCA Adoption Center.

If you suspect you’ve witnessed animal cruelty, please don’t wait—report it. It saves lives.

Tags: 
Adoption
Animal Cruelty
Humane Law Enforcement
NYC
We Were There

Comments

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 10:52 — Caset (Visitor)
Thank goodness that is hardly a harsh enough punishment for animal cruelty, but its something. These poor animals have no voice to speak up with. I'm glad she is in good hands now :)

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:13 — Faith pederson (Visitor)
I agree...that was not a steep enought punishment!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:11 — Melissa (Visitor)
He needs a much harsher punishment than a measly year in jail and a fine he'll never pay!!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:34 — kcFrisco (Visitor)
Give Burton an embedded collar, see how he likes it. Maybe 1 year in jail, what a joke.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 14:53 — Jen (Visitor)
what a POS, sooooo glad Tori is in much better hands!!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 15:08 — carol (Visitor)
Thank God this beautiful dog was rescued in time. The owner should get no plea deals, but should be fined, pay the medical expences and adoption fees, and get 3 years in prison wearing a tight collor around his neck in sloitary confinement

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 15:12 — Jenai (Visitor)
$1000 serious thats insulting to the careing people who foot the bill to save this poor dog. He should get a hefty dose of vet bills and clean dog cages

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 15:30 — Brooklyn Paws (Visitor)
SO the guy that is guilty is a correction officer? THis in itself is disturbing considering what his responsibilities are and what he is capable of. SIck. I"m glad he got arrested.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 16:19 — not enough (Visitor)
What kind of punishment is that? He will never see jail time just the $1000 dollar fine. What a joke if he did that to a baby it be more serious what's the difference? Still glad he was atleast charged.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 16:27 — Susan (Visitor)
Again a careless sub-human being causes ain to an animal and gets a slap on the wrist. Thank God I am N OT a judge because this sub-human being would be forced to wear a choke collar for a very long time just so he/she can feel the pain that this poor an imal experienced. Then I'd throw him in jail for no less then 5 years and fine him alot more then$1,000. The government needs to pass strictor punishments towards animal abusers. A slap on the wrist is a joke and an insult to the lives of these animals that suffer and sometimes die at the hands of these sub-human beings. Get it straight folks animals are living breathing beings just like humans they have emotions and feelings and people need to learn how to care for and respect animals as living beings.

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 06:32 — mali (Visitor)
I completely agree with you! people just don't realize that animals are just as important as we are, they have the same needs, they feel pain, they have feelings too, and people still treat them like toys.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 22:32 — Patricia Marden (Visitor)
There isn't enough punishment for this type of cruelty. We need harsher laws. If it's hitting them in their wallet or putting them in jail for an extended period of time, than so be it. They should have to wear a sign around town saying what they did. Then justice will be served.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 23:21 — Cate (Visitor)
It is bad enough animals are tortured and the abusers get a slap on the wrist. There is proof people who abuse animals will abuse people. If we can see what the abusers looks like, then we know we should stay away from these......individuals(for lack of a better word). They may also think twice if they do not wish to be exposed for the.....abusers they are. I would have no problem pointing them out to other people if I were to see them out in public.

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 12:51 — Hope/Grace (Visitor)
I have a german shepherd and a yellow lab.I love them so much and would do anything for them.I don't understand why people do animal cruelty.It is NOT right and never will be.It IS against the law and cruel to do this.many think they'll get away with it but they will not.the ASPCA will soon find them.

Fri, 02/01/2013 - 10:18 — Veronica (Visitor)
I think she's adorable, I would love to adopt her. But I live in Colorado...Is she up for adoption or has Tori found a new home? Please let me know! :)

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 14:24 — mali (Visitor)
These people have NO soul; It disgusts me to even think that someone would do that to a poor, innocent animal; these heartless idiots make me sick.People need to stop treating animals like this, and realize the truth.Animals are not toys, they are just as important as we are; and they need to be loved and cared for properly; they have feelings too, and it's sad that people don't even realize this.

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 21:21 — Ashley Wells (Visitor)
How much money is Tori and is the ASPCA were he is in Kingston please let me know soonand is he for sale??? Please let me know soon ASAP

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 21:31 — Ashley Wells (Visitor)
Also the crim is not good he should stay in jail for his rest of his life. Poor tori hope he's doing better and everthing is good. I hope the neck wound feels better and go's away soon. I hate to hear things bad about dogs even when there mean things specially the mean people that hurt the dogs and think they are cool and there not!!!:(:(:(

Mon, 04/29/2013 - 18:46 — alex (Visitor)
1000$ that's crap.. that corruptions officer. (No I didn't misspell it)should lose his job..

Fri, 05/24/2013 - 16:35 — Juanita (Visitor)
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