one later died
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced the arrest of an Elmont man for allegedly abandoning his two Great Danes, leaving them severely emaciated. One of the dogs later died from his injuries.
Mian Siddique, 49, was arraigned before Judge Elizabeth Fox-McDonough on Friday and charged with two counts of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring animals (a class A misdemeanor) and two counts of Abandonment of Animals (an unclassified misdemeanor). The defendant was conditionally released to probation and is due back in court May 4. If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
“This defendant allegedly moved out of his apartment abandoning his two Great Danes to die of dehydration and starvation,” DA Singas said. “Every dog deserves a caring and loving home, and when pet owners neglect or abuse their animals, we will hold them criminally accountable.”
DA Singas said on January 14, 2018, a Town of Hempstead Animal Control officer went to 108 Oakley Avenue to conduct a welfare check of a dog. When he arrived, the officer discovered two Great Danes inside a basement apartment, which the defendant allegedly left behind after moving out of the apartment on January 1, 2018. The dogs, named Sheru and Maverick, were brothers.
Following an examination by a veterinarian at the Town of Hempstead Shelter, it was discovered both dogs were approximately 30-40 pounds underweight, severely malnourished and allegedly neglected for a minimum of two to three months. According to veterinarians, Sheru had severe dental disease, multiple pressure sores and was very weak. During treatment, the dog vomited pieces of fabric and later died. Maverick was found with hair loss, pressure sores and dental disease and has since been adopted.
Assistant District Attorney Carissa Danesi of DA Singas’ Animal Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The defendant is represented by the Legal Aid Society.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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