Canine Cruelty Busts In Sunnyside, Rich. Hill.
A Sunnyside man who allegedly punched his poodle to death and a Richmond Hill woman accused of neglecting her pit bull were both collared this past weekend by the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit on animal cruelty charges, it was announced.
Ted Shuttleworth of 47th Avenue in Sunnyside was taken into custody by ASPCA agents last Saturday, June 16, following an investigation into the May 31 death of his poodle named Lola.
Richmond Hill resident Shakisha Codling of 97th Avenue was also busted by the ASPCA on Sunday, June 17, for allegedly leaving her 1 1/2-year-old female pit bull Zellie malnourished and chained to a tree in her yard back in March. The canine is currently recovering at an ASPCA medical center.
Regarding the Sunnyside case, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents were called to a private veterinary hospital in Queens on May 31 to investigate the death of Lola.
An investigation found that the poodle, who weighed 4 1/2 lbs., had been punched in the head and died from a traumatic brain injury.
During their probe, the ASPCA determined that Shuttleworth allegedly assaulted the dog after becoming angry inside his residence.
The suspect was taken into custody last Saturday by ASPCA Special Investigator Paul Romano and charged with a count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. He is scheduled to appear in Queens Criminal Court on July 26 to answer to the charges.
As for Codling’s case, theASPCA stated that agents from the Humane Law Enforcement Unit were called to her 97th Avenue home on Mar. 26 to investigate a report of a dog tied to a tree with no food or water nearby at her residence.
During their visit, the agents reportedly spotted Zellie restrained by a collar tied with a padlock and chained to a tree in the rear yard of Codling’s home. The owner relinquished the dog into the custody of the ASPCA, which brought the pit bull to Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for treatment.
Veterinarians examining Zellie determined that she was in a great deal of discomfort and was starved and dehydrated. Though she weighed just over 32 pounds upon arriving at the medical center, she has grown to 48.5 lbs. while undergoing medical treatment.
Once her recovery is complete, the ASPCA noted, Zellie will be made available for adoption.
Subsequent to an investigation, Codling was arrested on Sunday by ASPCA Special Investigator Mark MacDonald and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. She is scheduled to appear in Queens Criminal Court on July 31.
If convicted, Shuttleworth and Codling each face maximum sentences of up to one year behind bars and/or a $1,000 fine, it was noted.
To report suspected animal cruelty, call the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement unit at 1-212-876-7700, Ext. 4450, or send an e-mail to enforcement@aspca.org.
