Pit Bull Starved in Brooklyn

Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 2:00pm
Neglected Dog Before and After

Drew before and after.

Three-month-old Drew was skin and bones the day he arrived at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.  His owner, Leedell Walker, claimed the pup had not been eating—then proceeded to give up custody of the dog and leave. The hospital team knew something was very wrong and contacted ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement (HLE).

After a full examination, forensic veterinarians confirmed that the near-death Drew was in a critical state of shock and severely anemic. The vets concluded that 37-pound Drew had been starved.

It didn’t take long to for HLE to conclude its case. Walker, 57, was arrested by Special Agent Bradley English and charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Walker is due in Kings County Criminal Court on June 11.

Drew continues his recovery, and now weighs 65 pounds—a 76 percent increase! This handsome boy will soon be made available for adoption.

If you suspect an animal may be the victim of neglect or abuse, please report it.

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Humane Law Enforcement
NYC

Comments

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:14 — Dorothea Vargo (Visitor)
In my opinion not enough punishment for the harm he caused this poor animal... I hope he finds a forever loving home with alot of TLC...

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:11 — Julie (Visitor)
I completely agree with the above poster. This is NOT enough of a punishment for this scumbag "owner".

Sat, 05/12/2012 - 23:04 — Debbie (Visitor)
Too many states treat such abuse as a misdemeanor. I firmly believe animal abuse should be a federal felony with mandatory jail time.

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 13:24 — Elizabeth Philipone (Visitor)
I completely agree - if a person can starve an innocent animal, what is to say they wouldn't to it to anyone under their care - such as a child or elderly parent.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:15 — Jill (Visitor)
I love happy endings. Glad he is doing so well and glad HLE will be able to get justice for Drew.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:16 — Nora (Visitor)
This poor baby! I believe [FIRMLY] that people[abusers] should have done to them as they have done to their poor animals!

Sat, 05/12/2012 - 23:01 — Debbie (Visitor)
I concur! I am so sick and tired of this abuse.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:17 — Dorothy Johnson (Visitor)
What a tragic story for this beautiful boy! He looks so amazing now! Hos awful for him to have to go through such pain at the hands of someone who was supposed to take care of him! God bless him. I pray he finds a forever home very soon...

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:17 — judylynn scott (Visitor)
really? only 1 year!! plzzzz, lets make a strong stand & STOP ALL ANIMAL ABUSE! make it a "felony" and longer jail time than maybe just maybe "some animals "will ahve a chance to be saved and the "real animals" who do this will think before even getting ANY animal

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:32 — Corina Torres (Visitor)
I AGREE!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:21 — Jess (Visitor)
Agreed. That is not enough punishment for such a crime! He will get his comeuppance.

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 15:17 — Dave J (Visitor)
I haven't heard 'comeuppance' in a while. I agree, too.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:24 — Jennifer (Visitor)
1 year imprisonment is not enough. Celebrity apprentice should use the ASPCA as a charity.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:25 — anita (Visitor)
$1,000 fine?? Forget the money, Lock this guy up and starve him for a while.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:57 — nancy (Visitor)
They need to make tougher laws against people who abuse animals. If they dont this kind of thing will keep happening. Thank you for taking care of him he looks so good!

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 03:43 — kelly mills (Visitor)
Im with you.. lock that monster up without food till he is skin and bone!!

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 03:54 — Bezek (Visitor)
We should starve him until he is 1/3 his healthy weight and then beat him and leave him on the hospital doorstep with a sign saying he refused to eat taped across his face.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:27 — Jessica (Visitor)
That is not a good enough punishment for what that poor sog went through. I firmly believe in an eye for an eye. Glad that the dog is doing much better. Hope he finds a loving home soon.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:28 — Debbie (Visitor)
I think that sob should be starved completely to death. People like that need to be put to death. How can someone do that to an animal? They make sickos sign up as sexual preditors. People who do this to animals should have to sign up as the sline that they are.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 21:06 — Tammy (Visitor)
Great Idea!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:31 — Robin from Orlando (Visitor)
I agree with the suggestion I've seen floating around FB to create an animal abuse offenders list. Anyone who is cruel to animals should never be allowed to adopt again. Their inhumane actions should also be taken in consideration if they are tried on other crimes that could include cruelty to a human. It should also distinguish between someone who means well and those who are inflict cruelty.

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 15:59 — Jan (Visitor)
Yes, an animal abuser list is a very good idea for another reason. they would be watched, by people like us, for any sign of abusing another animal.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:32 — RonWPB (Visitor)
I am so tired of seeing people getting away with animal cruelty issues always with a slap on the hand. In this case, this guy will probably get off with only a fine, hardle enough justice for this poor little guy. If animal cruelty laws were upgraded and really backed a solid punch (mandatory jail sentences), then people like this evil jerk would think twice before even thinking about doing harm to an animal.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:33 — Michelle (Visitor)
I think animal cruelty punishments need to be way more harsh. This is like a slap on the hand. It outrages me to see what ppl r capable of doing to animals.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:39 — Dana (Visitor)
Pleased to hear Drew is recovering!! In my opinion, Mr. Walker's sentence is NOT enough. The punishment should fit the crime. Happy to know there are good people out there to be the voice for animals!!! Thank you HLE for being their voice!!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:40 — Michelle (Visitor)
This guy is just plain sick in the head to think what he did was ok then go on to blame the dog for not eating. BS! That calls for jail time & a higher fine. I pray for that beautiful dog.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:40 — Salina LLanes (Visitor)
In my opinion I believe an eye for an eye, @**hole!!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:48 — Julie (Visitor)
I bet ya his so called owner wasnt starving himself, oh thats ok karma well get him in the end.....

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:51 — Disgusting (Visitor)
Only disgustings things like that happen when trash like that is able to own pets. It's about time that only responsible and respected people should have the privilege to own animals.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:51 — Amy (Visitor)
Animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect really need to be considered felonies. Reading stories like this makes me sick!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:51 — Deb Strong (Visitor)
Should be a felony!! Tired of seeing beaten, abused animals. Agreed there should be animal abuse offenders list. Proven fact that animal abuse can lead to sexual abuse & generally how serial killers start - why is more not done at all legislative levels? Hope Drew gets a great home & knows that a lot of folks love him!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:55 — Donna G Sparks (Visitor)
Give him the maximum allowed by law! Wish it was more!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:55 — Donna G Sparks (Visitor)
Give him the maximum allowed by law! Wish it was more!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 14:55 — Jeana (Visitor)
I agree with animal cruelty cases being treated as felonies. People who do these horrible things to animals disgust me! The law needs to punish them and stop wrist slapping. I'd throw Drew's tormentor in a cell and starve him for a few months, and that would be the nicer of the various punishments I could think of for this scum bag. Glad to see this sweet dog is doing so much better. Bless you guys at the ASPCA for all you do! <3

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 15:24 — Dave J (Visitor)
These type of crimes are usually indicative of later, much worse offenses as well.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:05 — Adelaide Acquaviva (Visitor)
The law is not severe enough for this kind of cruelty to an animal. It should be a felony, not a misdemeaor. We need tougher laws for animal abusers.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:18 — Michele (Visitor)
I am so glad to see Drew doing so well! And while I agree completely that the laws aren't strong enough and that the person who is responsible for this deserves the maximum penalty allowed by law, I am also grateful that he turned the animal over to the ASPCA animal hosptial. After allowing Drew to get to the state he was in, he could have just let him die and avoided everything that is going to happen to him. I can't help but think there's a bit more to this story...if someone is cruel enough to neglect an animal and let it starve down to this point, why would they bring it to an ASPCA animal hospital, why wouldn't they just let it die? Some part of me thinks that this man is taking the fall for someone else...perhaps a family member who wasn't caring for Drew and this man didn't want to see the animal die, but didn't want the owner getting into trouble. Normally I'm not such a bleeding heart, but something about this story just doesn't seem to make a full picture when you "connect the dots." We all know of parents who are enablers to their children and would do anything for them...I don't know, I could very well be wrong, but it's a feeling I'm getting from the story!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:25 — Emily Van Kampen (Visitor)
Good point, I didn't think about how it is weird that he did bring the dog in. . .because, true, if he were purposely trying to kill the dog,it seems there would be better ways, and why surrender the dog at all?

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:37 — Corina Torres (Visitor)
I think the only reason he took him was because someone told him you take him or I will call law enforcements and he thought since he turned him in nothing was gonna happen to him. If he wasnt purposely starving the dog, why did he let him get to that stage, this is weeks and weeks, maybe even months of starving...not just a few days.

Wed, 05/16/2012 - 11:39 — Sandra (Visitor)
You make a very valid point. The important thing is Drew got the help he needed and is on the way to a happy and safe life.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:22 — Emily Van Kampen (Visitor)
I'm so glad this little (well big now) guy was rescued. I hope he finds fantastic doggie parents. And, in my opinion, the punishment for this sick individual is not enough! I think the animal cruelty laws need to be more strict, just because the victim is an animal doesn't make it any less of a crime, in my opinion. But at least the guy is getting punished!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:26 — Julie O'Connell (Visitor)
What An Absolute Scumbag!!!, He Wants Stringing Up And Horse Whipping!!, Throw The Scumbag In Jail And Starve Him See How He Likes It The Filthy Piece Of Shit!, This Absolutely Makes Me So So Angry And Its Upsetting To Think That Anyone Could Do Deliberate Harm To A Defenceless Animal. Wishing Drew A Full Recovery...xx

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 10:22 — Rose (Visitor)
I totally agree with your comment Julie! I get just as upset when I see this....the rotten bastards never get what they deserve for causing such suffering.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:51 — Cynthia Bonnney (Visitor)
I know an eye for an eye is not always the correct way to look at things. But, if you take on the RESPONSIBILITY and ownership of a pet (extended family member) you ARE to treat it as such! Most cannot or are not given a chance to do so. Lets see how well you do "unable" to eat and weighing 30+ pounds! I would feed a hungry (not even starving - just hungry) animal before even thinking of putting a bite into my own mouth. How DARE you, Mr. Walker! May you only get crumbs and drops of water in jail! If someone remembers to bring you anything!

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 15:54 — Sharon (Visitor)
I would love to chain Mr Walker up and deny him food or water . This is heartbreaking and pathetic....

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 16:18 — Chaya S. (Visitor)
The man deserves more than a year and he should be forced to work in a shelter for a minimum of 5 years. Let him see what cruelty to animals does.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 16:36 — Mia vanzetti (Visitor)
$1000 is not enough, this ppl should be in jail for the rest of their life smh

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 16:50 — graciela sanchez (Visitor)
Es hermoso leer casos como estos,donde la ASPCA realiza una maravillosa labor.soy fiel seguidora del programa de protección de la ASPCA , como es distrito animal en ANIMAL PLANET,el único problema es que esta todo en ingles. Agradecería tener encuenta este comentario soy latinoamericana y hablo español.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 17:13 — Ann (Visitor)
If he goes to jail for a year, food should be withheld for a year. Let's see how long he lasts.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 17:22 — Tammy (Visitor)
When will we ever realize, if someone is willing to abuse any living creature, they are a harm to society as a whole. We try to justify that it's "only an animal." When does it become too much, when a child is harmed, when a mentally challenged woman is starved or when an elderly man is beaten? When is enough, enough? The punishment needs to start fitting the crime and this punishment is definitely not ENOUGH!

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