18 months later, case is not resolved, bill is still pending, but Patrick’s doing great
A year and a half after a starved pit bull was found at the bottom of a trash chute at a Newark high rise apartment — looking more like a corpse than a pet — the dog who would go on to be named Patrick is doing great.
Progressing far less quickly are court case against his former owner, and a proposed bill, named after Patrick, that would bring stiffer penalties against those who abuse and neglect animals.
Patrick’s Law would increase penalties against those who abuse and neglect animals. Last week, it cleared the New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee, but it still requires approval by another committee and both houses of the legislature.
The bill (S1303) would make certain acts of neglect and abuse fourth-degree offenses and increases the civil penalties — up to $3,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for a second offense, according to NJ.com. If an animal dies, offenders could be charge with a third-degree crime, which carries stricter penalties.
Sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., it would also increase the penalties for dogfighting; failing to provide an animal with proper food, water and shelter; and leaving animals unattended in hot cars.
Patrick was found in March 2011 in a garbage chute at Garden Spires.
His former owner, Newark resident Kisha Curtis, was charged with animal cruelty and remains free on $10,000 bond. Curtis has entered a plea of not guilty and has rejected a plea deal under which she would serve 18 months in prison, pay a $5,000 fine and serve 30 days of community service.
Instead, she wants to enter a pretrial intervention program,which would involve no jail time and, once completed, leave her without a record.
That’s now under consideration by Newark Superior Court Judge Joseph Cassini III, who agreed last month to review documents from the Department of Children and Family Services regarding Curtis and her childhood.
Curtis admits to abandoning Patrick, but says she “never harmed” the dog and that she had only had him for a few days. She is not accused of throwing the dog down the chute, only of neglecting and abandoning him.
Patrick, meanwhile — after months of veterinary care and intensive rehabilitation at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, N.J.– is happy and healthy.
Who will eventually be awarded custody of him is still at issue, but it definitely won’t be Kisha Curtis.
(Photo: Tony Kurdzuk / The Newark Star-Ledger)
Posted by jwoestendiek September 21st, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: abuse, animal cruelty, animals, apartment, bill, chute, court case, courts, crime, cruelty to animals, davis, dogs, garbage, garden state veterinary specialists, high rise, kisha curtis, law, legislature, neglect, new jersey, newark, patrick, patrick's law, pets, pit bull, pit bulls, pitbull, pitbulls, proposal, starvation, starved, starving, trash
Comments
Comment from Joy D
Time September 21, 2012 at 10:07 pm
I have seen severe cases and miraculous turnarounds – however, this is truly most significant to date! Truly another miracle on the side of humanity and life at large!
Comment from robert schlosser
Time September 22, 2012 at 9:07 am
I’ve followed this story from the beginning and it is amazing that the legal aspects still have not been resolved- the girl is still waiting trial and the dog still does not have a permanent home. But high, high praise to all the caregivers and what they have done to save Patrick. An incredible effort on their part- he is gorgeous now!
Comment from Jennifer
Time September 22, 2012 at 2:57 pm
KISHA CURTIS MAY YOU BURN IN HELL!!!! you dont deserve anything but a living hell. why were you not accused of putting the dog in the garbage chute? how did he get there then ? what were thinking to yourself knowing he was down there dying ? how could you live with yourself ?? i think she should go to jail, pay the 10 000 and ALWAYS have a record, and NEVER be allowed to own another pet. The record needs to stay on her file so NO ONE will allow her to get another pet.
Comment from Angela Schliskey
Time September 22, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Don’t let her cheat the law and get away with the things she has done. She needs to pay for her crimes. If she can mistreat an animal that way no telling what she could do next.
Comment from matt w
Time September 22, 2012 at 3:45 pm
I agree with the bill thats being proposed. They should be stricter penalties against people the neglect animals, and one is that the person should never be able to own any kind of animal again, surprise checks should be made and if the offender has an animal the animal should be taken and the person fined again.
Comment from Donna Anderson
Time September 22, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Krista Curtis is guilty n lying. This judge reviewing her case has no honest reasons from Curtis to belive a word she says. She did it, been following since day 1. If she isn’t made to pay for everything she did. You can thank your county $ being misused in every way. she starved this dog in front of her children. Maybe she should also be VOTED MOTHER OF THE YEAR!
Bitch never missed any meals, she’s at least 70 lbs over weight. She should already be serving her time in my opinion. This type of cruelty doesn’t deserve a second chance!
Comment from Mary Mooney
Time September 22, 2012 at 6:31 pm
The owner claims she only had him a few days before abandoning him and that she was shocked by his emaciated appearance when he was found. That is an out and out lie! This dog could not have become that emaciated in just a few days. Starvation is a slow, torturous process. She HAD to have had him longer than a few days for him to have changed from a healthy dog into the emaciated bag of bones when he was found. It’s a pity that we cannot prove how long she had him so that we could add the additional cruelty charges against her. This story of horrific abuse sickens me and I am amazed and relieved that Patrick survived. He truly is a special dog.
Comment from mia
Time September 22, 2012 at 10:50 pm
i cry my self to sleep with my purfectly hethy dog cause hes getting old ill take him in!!!!!![just kidding]
Comment from Dee Turton
Time September 23, 2012 at 7:44 am
Animals have been abused forever it seems.. it is time we change… they have rights, and they all have a right to LIFE… if you cannot be responsible for your pet.. do NOT get one .. and certainly NEVER get a pet for the children!!! Stupidity in people never cease!!! THINK before getting any pet! The stiffer the penalty .. the BETTER!! She did the crime.. she does the time..
Comment from Mary
Time September 23, 2012 at 8:35 am
Well perhaps dragging it out for the next hundred years wouldn’t be so bad. Let her never have a day where she can put to rest what she did.
Comment from sue
Time September 23, 2012 at 3:17 pm
I believe the dog was found in March of 2010. I keep hoping to see that he is legally allowed to stay with his caretaker, and the woman who abandoned him receives full consequences.
Comment from jwoestendiek
Time September 23, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Sue, We’re quite positive; it was March 16, 2011
John / ohmidog!
Comment from Lisa
Time September 24, 2012 at 3:37 pm
That poor poor soul. Thank GOD that he is well and looking so very well!!!
I hope that she goes to prison for the max. People need to be resposible for the blessing we have as people in our pets!
Comment from Pittyluvr
Time January 16, 2013 at 11:30 am
Since when is abandoning a dog NOT harming him?! Now they want to review documents of her childhood? Ridiculous. I really hope this changes the penalties of animal cruelty.
Comment from Sandy Holt
Time September 21, 2012 at 12:21 pm
They need to set an example with this scum!