by Bill Parry
A tragic shooting in Astoria on April 12 has claimed a third life. Jack, a Yorkshire Terrier that was discovered wounded at the scene, has been euthanized an ASPCA spokeswoman said.
Police responding to a 911 call from a residence on 38th Street, shot and killed 86-year-old Jack Calvello when he refused to drop a shotgun he had allegedly pointed at an officer and a sergeant, according to the NYPD.
In a search of the home between 31st Avenue and Broadway, police discovered Calvello’s daughter, 65-year-old Carolann Matyka who had been shot in the head, and who was later pronounced dead, and the Terrier who had been shot in the neck.
“Jack was the tragic victim of a brutal crime and his injuries ultimately proved too severe to overcome,” Rebecca Goldrick, of the ASPCA, said. “When combined with his debilitating pre-existing medical conditions, the traumatic damage to Jack’s spinal cord caused significant pain and suffering and made it impossible for him to recover. Jack was humanely euthanized to end his suffering.”
Goldrick added that euthanasia is always a last step, an end-of-the-road option to spare an animal further suffering and pain.
“Jack’s story serves to remind us that animal cruelty doesn’t always have a happy ending — it is ugly and sad and, ultimately, tragic,” she said.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
