UPDATE: No jail time for NYPD officer & wife for allowing dog to starve to death

“WTF…seriously, what’s the point in taking cases like this to court, where a couple let their dog starve to death; but the judge lets them off with a suspended sentence?? Oh, sorry, they were banned from owning a pet for 5 years…well whoopy fxxxxxg do!! Where is the deterrent value here, none at all. Is there any wonder so many animals are harmed when the justice system doesn’t do anything to try & stop it, I’m sick of seeing these pathetic sentences, sorry slaps on the wrist? It makes me so fxxxxxg mad!!!”

Danny Neira, an NYPD officer, and his wife, Rose Neira, of Farmingdale, N.Y., learned on Tuesday that they will not be heading to jail for allowing their dog to starve to death.

According to Tuesday’s Newsday publication, District Court Judge Sondra Pardes instead ruled that the couple will have three years of probation for their animal cruelty conviction.

Animal cruelty conviction – Rose Neira Credit: Pet-Abuse.com

The couple faced charges after their two-year-old Great Dane, “Zack,” was discovered weighing a dismal 87 pounds back in Nov. 2010. A healthy, normal weight for this breed of dog ranges from 120 to 150 pounds.

Following the discovery of the emaciated dog, Zack received intensive veterinary care, but died just weeks later. According to the veterinary clinic which treated him, Zack died from heart issues stemming from starvation.

The couple argued that their dog suffered from a bowel disease which caused his poor body weight. They also told the court that their dog was receiving veterinary care.

Regardless of the claim of a health issue, the jury found that the couple had not provided adequate care for their dog.

The Neiras are prohibited from owning a pet for the next five years.

News Link:-http://www.examiner.com/article/no-jail-time-for-nypd-officer-and-wife-for-allowing-dog-to-starve-to-death?CID=obinsite

Related:– https://preciousjules1985.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/farmingdale-couple-convicted-of-animal-abuse/

Published on 11 Oct 2012

Danny and Rose Neira were convicted of neglecting their their Great Dane, Zach. This video was taken by an investigator from District Attorney Kathleen Rice‘s Animal Crimes Unit. Though vets tried to save Zach, his organs had deteriorated too much to survive. His visible ribs and vertebrae, unclipped nails, and dirty ears are additional evidence of neglect. DA Rice created the animal crimes unit to protect animals like Zack, but also because those who are cruel to animals often harm people too. To report animal abuse in Nassau County, call the anonymous Animal Crimes Hotline at  (516) 680-8624

Farmingdale Couple Convicted of Animal Abuse

“I know this beautiful dog passed over Rainbow Bridge in 2010, but it didn’t stop me from shedding a few tears for him. Such a gentle giant, he didn’t deserve to be ill treated, no animal does! Why do people get pets, only to abandoned them when they’ve had enough. Can’t be bothered to walk or play with the dog anymore, CAN’T BE BOTHERED TO FEED THE DAMN DOG either”. R.I.P  Zack x

They could face up to one year in jail on the charge after discovery of their emaciated dog, Zack.

A Farmingdale couple whose Great Dane was found emaciated from neglect has been convicted of animal neglect by a Nassau County Jury.

Rose Neira, 32, and her husband Danny Neira, 41, a New York City police officer, were convicted of misdemeanor animal neglect after being accused of failing to provide food and medical care for their dog, Zack. The jury took just three hours to convict the couple, whose dog weighed just 87 pounds when it was found by authorities.

The animal, despite extensive rehabilitative efforts by veterinarians including surgery, died about a month later.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said the couple faces up to one year in jail. They are due back in court Dec. 11 for sentencing.

“There is no excuse or explanation for this level of cruelty and neglect, and I am shocked that these two people, one of whom is a police officer, did nothing while Zack wasted away in front of their eyes,” Rice said.

The case dates to Nov. 22, 2010, when district attorney investigators and members of the DA’s Animal Crimes Unit went to the Neiras’ home after receiving multiple tips that an animal was being neglected there.

Investigators found a 2-year-old Great Dane named Zack, “grossly emaciated with protruding ribs and its backbone visible through its skin,” Rice said.

When questioned by investigators, Rose Neira initially claimed that the dog’s condition was due to parasites, but she could not provide the name of a veterinarian for the animal, nor could she produce any medication that was being administered to the animal. She stated that she kept the Great Dane in the kitchen, taking it out only once a night, and that she had not sought veterinary treatment for more than a year.

Danny Neira is an officer with the New York Police Department, the district attorney’s office said.

 

Prosecutors obtained a warrant to seize the dog the following day and the Town of Oyster Bay’s Animal Control transported it to Oyster Bay Animal Hospital, where it was treated by a veterinarian for 10 days.

In addition to the dog’s emaciated appearance, its nails were damaged and overgrown and its ear cavities were caked with dirt and grease. Zack’s multiple health issues forced veterinarians to feed him intravenously, authorities said.

A normal, healthy Great Dane should weigh between 120 and 150 pounds. Zack succumbed to multiple health problems on Dec. 1, 2010 while still receiving around-the-clock veterinary care.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Libroia of the Animal Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case for the DA’s Office. The Neiras are represented by Robert DelGrosso.

Numerous reptiles, turtles, birds and fish were also observed living in unsanitary conditions inside the Neira home, many of which were seized by authorities.

Rice issued a thank you to the Town of Oyster Bay, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Suffolk County SPCA for their assistance in this case.

“I strongly encourage anyone who is aware of an animal being abused or neglected to contact my office’s Animal Abuse hotline at (516) 571-ACHL,” Rice said.

Video footage of Zack taken by DA Investigators can be viewed on DA Rice’s YouTube page

News Link:-http://farmingdale.patch.com/articles/farmingdale-couple-convicted-of-animal-abuse

Published on 11 Oct 2012 by NassauCountyDA

Danny and Rose Neira were convicted of neglecting their their Great Dane, Zach. This video was taken by an investigator from District Attorney Kathleen Rice’s Animal Crimes Unit. Though vets tried to save Zach, his organs had deteriorated too much to survive. His visible ribs and vertebrae, unclipped nails, and dirty ears are additional evidence of neglect. DA Rice created the animal crimes unit to protect animals like Zack, but also because those who are cruel to animals often harm people too. To report animal abuse in Nassau County, call the anonymous Animal Crimes Hotline at (516) 680-8624.