Patrick the Miracle Dog's Abuser Gets Probation, Fine
Patrick the Miracle Dog's Abuser Gets Probation, Fine
Patrick was found, near death, after his owner tossed him down a garbage chute
Thursday, Aug 29, 2013 |
NBC New York
The woman who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in the case of Patrick, the pit bull who made a miraculous recovery after he was starved, stuffed in a trash bag and tossed down a garbage chute in Newark, N.J., has been sentenced to probation and will have to pay restitution to the animal care group that helped rescue the heroic pup, a judge said Thursday.
Kisha Curtis, 29, pleaded guilty last month to fourth-degree animal cruelty on the eve of her trial. She was charged in March 2011 after the dog was found near death.
At her sentencing Thursday, the judge said Curtis would be required to serve 18 months probation and forfeit her right to Patrick. She'll also be required to pay nearly $2,000 to the New Jersey ASPCA, which gave the pup emergency care before he was moved to a veterinary hospital in Tinton Falls.
In issuing the sentence, the judge said the dog survived and is now thriving, and the case led to tougher penalties for animal cruelty. Prosecutors had previously said Curtis likely would avoid prison because she is a first offender. The judge said Thursday she was unlikely to commit such a crime again.
The jowly pooch was nicknamed Patrick because he was rescued just before St. Patrick's Day and nursed back to health at an animal hospital. He has since thrived in recovery, and his story has gained nationwide attention.
He has been living with a foster family, who told NBC 4 New York last year that he was "doing wonderful."
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Patrick-Miracle-Dog-Abuse-Pit-Bull-Trash-Chute-Newark-Sentence-221617601.html
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