|
MINEOLA---Geofreda Rivera, 22, of Roosevelt has pleaded guilty in Nassau County Court to aggravated cruelty to animals, admitting that he caused the death of a female pit bull earlier this year by chaining her on a leash so short she hanged herself.
Prosecutors said that in January and February of this year, the Rivera was seen by a member of I-Speak Humane Society throwing an injured pit bull into a pen covered with feces.
On Feb. 20, members of the Town of Hempstead Animal Control and Emergency Services personnel responded to the Rivera's house and rescued five pit bulls that were trapped in a closet with no food or water. Rivera was arrested that day and charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals.
He pleaded guilty Tuesday in front of Judge Alan Honorof. He remains free on bail and is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16.
He faces up to two years in prison.
Members of the public can report potential animal cruelty to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office at 516-739-6666. 9-21-06
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed by anyone without the express written permission of the publisher. This article is copyright protected and Fair Use is not applicable.
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
|
