ASPCA Arrests Queens Woman for Neglecting, Starving Yorkie

Wednesday, August 22, 2012 - 4:15pm
Starving Dog

Hershey, before receiving treatment at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital

Today the ASPCA arrested Queens resident Grimilda Amil for allegedly neglecting and starving her three-year-old male Yorkshire terrier, who has been recovering under our care for nearly two months.

Amil brought her Yorkie, Hershey, to an ASPCA Mobile/Spay Neuter Clinic on June 27. Alarmed at Hershey’s condition, Clinic staff called our Humane Law Enforcement Agents, who quickly responded.

Amil relinquished ownership of Hershey to the ASPCA, and Agents transported the tiny dog to Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

There, veterinarians determined Hershey— whom they found to be emaciated, anemic and suffering from pressure sores—had been starved. At that time, Hershey weighed just 5.2 pounds. Today he weighs in at 10.1 pounds, a 94% increase!

Hershey is completing his recovery in a caring ASPCA foster home. When he’s ready, he’ll be made available for adoption.

Amil, 55, was charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, she faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. She is due in Queens Criminal Court on October 4. 

If you suspect you’ve witnessed animal cruelty, please don’t hesitate to report it.

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Humane Law Enforcement
NYC

Comments

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:11 — Kari Kashani (Visitor)
There has to be more to this story that needs addressing. I am not defending this person by any means. The perplexing detail is that she was cognizant enough to bring the little guy to the Mobile Unit. This is terribly sad for both animal and human. I hope the time is taken to understand this particular situation. Animals are the victims of human conduct. "Teach only love, for that is all there is."

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 09:56 — Gina Hershey (Visitor)
I will never understand the mindset of people who do such cruel things. Why get a dog when you are only going to starve it to death? I would like to see our lawmakers consider this a very heinous crime and those who commit these crimes should pay the ultimate price.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 09:58 — karol king (Visitor)
Do to her what she did to the baby

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:00 — ryan (Visitor)
How about convict her and then let me do the punishment? I will come to Queens on my dime and dole out what I think is appropriate. Sound good to everyone?

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:46 — Pat (Visitor)
I agree. She should get no food or water either. Make it a felony

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:07 — Linda (Visitor)
I cannot believe that woman. I mean really how much can that dog eat for God's sake. I hope she goes to jail so everyone will see that if you abuse an animal you pay. I hope she doesn't get a slap on the wrist. I am tired of these people.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:10 — ANDREA (Visitor)
THERE SHOULD B A NATIONAL 'BANK' OF INFO THAT THESE PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER B ALLOWED TO GET AN ANIMAL AGAIN. A NATIONAL REGISTRY. THEY DO IT FOR HUMANS, WE NEED IT MORE FOR ANIMALS SINCE THEY CAN'T SPEAK UP

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:14 — Tawnya Butler (Visitor)
Wouldn't it be a kick in the rear for this lady that starved the sweet yorkie if all dogs could own her and treat her like she did the tiny yorkie by starving her!!!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:17 — Matt (Visitor)
All of us can agree the kind of people who do this are the lowest form of life there is. We should certainly air our fustration on sites like this. BUT ALL OF US SHOULD CALL AND WRITE OUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN AND DEMAND STRICT PUNISHMENT FOR ANIMAL ABUSE. I AM AWARE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS LIKE THIS IS SCREEMING AND THATS WHAT I AM DOING. CALL YOU ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEMAND THEY TAKE ACTION TO STOP ANIMAL ABUSE

Sat, 08/25/2012 - 01:12 — MMM (Visitor)
You are absolutely correct. It's ok to scream about it. To everyone who is outraged, let the people who make the laws for us aware of it. If enough people make noise, something will be done if only to shut us up.... Unfortunately, animals are legally considered property and are treated by the law as such.

Sat, 08/25/2012 - 01:12 — MMM (Visitor)
You are absolutely correct. It's ok to scream about it. To everyone who is outraged, let the people who make the laws for us aware of it. If enough people make noise, something will be done if only to shut us up.... Unfortunately, animals are legally considered property and are treated by the law as such.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:21 — Teri Warming (Visitor)
I wish she could be locked in a cage and starved like she did to the yorkie zero tollerence for people like her

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:22 — Jen (Visitor)
People should need a license to care for a pet or a child. There are too many abusers out there who have no idea how to love or how to be loved. Animal abuse is tragic and anyone who abuses these tender souls who know only how to love and forgive should be locked away from society forever. We're over-populated enough and have no room for the cruel.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:23 — Bill Smith (Visitor)
Help them keep up the good works of elping our animal friends with what they can not do for them selves. We Care!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:23 — Bill Smith (Visitor)
Help them keep up the good works of helping our animal friends with what they can not do for them selves. We Care!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:27 — Kathleen Turner (Visitor)
It's time to step up the punishment on animal abuse! All she's getting is a slap on the wrist. Punish them in the manner they caused suffering on the animal. There should also be a list of animal abusers so you know if one is in your town. This bull has gone on long enough! Step up the punishment!!! Punishment is not paying a fine or sitting in a jail cell. That's not punishment. Not in my book!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:33 — ScarletDove (Visitor)
This is just one more instance of the kind of deplorable human trash and low lives who harm animals and inhabit this country and the rest of the world.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:36 — kim hart (Visitor)
when will they ever make this a felony?

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:38 — LORRAINE A. CRIMANDO (Visitor)
It's sad that some people treat such loving dogs so badly, but I'm glad the ASPCA reacted to this in the appropriate way. Too many starving animals are turning up in New York City's Animal Care & Control Shelters and I wish the ASPCA would intervene in these cases too. Why isn't the ASPCA more closelu affiliated with NYC's shelters?

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:41 — Beth K (Visitor)
That witch needs a good punch in the face and left to starve-waste of space !

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:48 — Terri (Visitor)
I am so sick about this! People that harm animals should be punished the same way -I have yorkies, and can't imagine this treatment to them or any other animal for that matter! Lock her up and starve her!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:49 — pymcat (Visitor)
how much food whould a tiny yorkie require. i bet the bitch fed herself

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:53 — Amy (Visitor)
Starve her and let her see how it feels! I don't understand why monsters like this even have animals. Punishment needs to be much more strict for these hideous acts of cruelty!! I have no sympathy for these pathetic wastes of space in our world.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:53 — Lisa Weaver (Visitor)
What gets me,is when the owners of these emaciated and starved dogs and/or cats are obese yet they have nothing to feed their animals? sickening!!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:54 — Cynthia (Visitor)
OK, I'm confused about this story. Why in the world did this woman starve her Yorkie, then take him to the ASPCA Mobile/Spay Neuter Clinic?

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 10:56 — Yoel Cohen (Visitor)
Such animal abuse should be a felony not misdemeanor.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:26 — Beth Tucker (Visitor)
There is no dearth of abominable "humans" who will mistreat animals. We must find a way to strengthen laws against animal abuse. I agree that this disgusting person should not be given the option for a fine without jail time. Only when these bottom-feeders feel some pain for their actions (so that others will know it could happen to them) will it stem the tide of cruelty to animals.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:39 — Mike McGowan (Visitor)
Touche for her getting afine AND jail time but teach her what it is like to be abused jail her in attica men's maximum security prison for a month- gen-pop

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:31 — Jackie (Visitor)
How can anyone abuse any animal? I own three Yorkies so this story really hit me hard. They are the most loyal and loving companions. Maybe they should starve this lady and give her a taste of her own medicine.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:35 — Mike McGowan (Visitor)
Looking about 30=40 lbs overweight herself,his prissy bitch definately doesn't look like SHE was lacking in the eating department!! She should be starved for awhile just to see the horror it can cause on the body & the mind. Besides since she's a welfare junkie and besides spending MY tax dollars on all her nex fixes It's clear she's getting money from all of her nightly "boyfriend" visits she seems to be "earning" plenty of money-THERE IS NO ECUSE!!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:36 — gladys (Visitor)
MAKE ANIMAL ABUSE A FELONY N HAVE A NATIONWIDE DATA BASE THAT THESE PEOPLE CANNOT OWN ANOTHER ANIMAL, EVER...BETTER LAWS NEED TO BE DONE TO PROTECT GOD'S INNOCENT CREATURES..

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:42 — Patricia Everman (Visitor)
I will never understand how humans can starve a sweet defenseless furbaby. I am delighted this individual is facing jail time!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:44 — Paul (Visitor)
The bitch should be put in jail starved and left to rot.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:24 — JB Avila (Visitor)
AMEN!!!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:44 — Paul (Visitor)
The bitch should be put in jail starved and left to rot.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:44 — Shirley (Visitor)
Don't give HER any food for awhile to see how she feels . . .

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:44 — Paul (Visitor)
The bitch should be put in jail starved and left to rot.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:44 — Paul (Visitor)
The bitch should be put in jail starved and left to rot.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:45 — melanie wilcox (Visitor)
What was the family's financial situation? Florida was hit hard by the recession. Did she have the ability to feed the animal?

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:31 — JB Avila (Visitor)
Recession or not, there is absolutly NO reason to let it go this far!!For Hershey to be in this condition he had to have been wihtout food and/or water for a long time! If she did not have the ability to properly care for him she should have relenquished him LONG BEFORE he got this bad. No offense intended!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 11:56 — Jack (Visitor)
Have 2 yorkies at home, agree with all comments she should get more than what she'll probably get... So cruel what people do, I wish my wife and me could take all of them.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:06 — Annette Alibhai (Visitor)
I have alway's loved animals. I would bring home anything lost and take care of anything. Now I have two dogs and a cat with health problems. I've worked out the pain meds with my vet. But, my serious problem is my oldes dog porcia. She always had this fatty tumer on her knee and he was never a problem. Now this thing has grown so large it looks like a limb. Even tho I work I am now a on my own with many health problems and cannot afford to have porcia taken care of. I wrote to the Animal welfare office the vet said I should contact but they did not respond. I love my dog more then you can ever emagine but if someone saw her they would think I have neglected her health. What does a person in my situation do. I have claimed bankrupcy a couple years ago and I can't really get any kind of credit to take care of this problem. My cat was found in the snow 3 1/2 years ago and it seems to be doing so much better then when we found it. Yet I've never had him checked by a vet either. But I'm not to concerned because it has really come around with love and attention. Never owned or even came across a cat before the one I have but I couldn't bare to see it suffer like it was. Please help me with Porcia I don't want to loose her.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:13 — Melanie Leavey (Visitor)
This monster is pure evil. When you can inflict that much pain to an innocent animal, you are capable of anything. She should be put in jail and slowly be starved the whole year. That would be justice for Hershey. It's so great you've saved him. I don't know how many times I've written letters and called about animal cruelty. I've received form letters offering no help. I guess evil is on the bottom of priorities for them.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:22 — JB Avila (Visitor)
I am so glad to hear about Hershey's progress. When I first saw the photo of him I grabbed my Yorkie-Sugar- and held her and cried! Promiseing her she would NEVER go through the horrors Hershey endured while holding her to my heart! It pleases me to hear that the owner was arrested and will be tried in a court of law for what she did to that sweet loving little dog! God Bless the ASPCA and I am proud to be a member!! If I were in the area I would gladly want to be put on the list to adopt Hershey when he is well enough! All dogs deserve kind,loveing homes no matter what!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:24 — Fran (Visitor)
Congrats to the clinic staff and animal cops for moving so quickly. Now, Hershey can be adopted by a loving family!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:33 — Kathy Trombini (Visitor)
What did she expect bringing the animal in at that point in time? I agree that she must have some mental deficiency somewhere. She should never be allowed to own an animal again.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:35 — Lori (Visitor)
I have been hearing horror story after horror story with animal abuse cases. The laws need to get stricter and not allow these monsters to ever own a animal again as long as they live. She is a pathetic monster who deserves to be tortured slowly until she is skin and bones. No animal in the world needs to go through this whether it is cats,dogs,farm animals, wildlife. I pray everyday for defenseless animals out there that are suffering right now due to abuse and neglect and hope and pray someone sees the abuse and calls the authorities. Let people know we are not going to tolerate animal abuse!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 12:50 — Marliese Bonk (Visitor)
The yorkie's former owner should be jailed, fined and banned from ever having another pet. Ruthless people such as this infamous woman are sub-human!

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 13:30 — Deborah Papaleo (Visitor)
I have a soft spot for all animals but love yorkies young or old. I will adopt Hershey in a minute but he has probaly found a forever home. People are disgusting not only to animals but to each other.

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 13:35 — animal lover (Visitor)
Show her face! I want everybody to know what that loser looks like!

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