MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced a Mineola man has been arraigned on grand jury indictment charges for allegedly abusing a 10-pound Toy Poodle.
Peter Granath, 26, was arraigned yesterday before Acting Supreme Court Justice Patricia Harrington on charges of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (a D felony) and Overdriving, Torturing, and Injuring Animals (an A misdemeanor). The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court July 18.
“This innocent dog experienced unimaginable pain when this defendant allegedly caused horrendous injuries including a concussion, multiple rib fractures and bruising,” DA Singas said. “We have no tolerance for animal abuse in Nassau County because we know that those who abuse defenseless animals often harm people as well.” District Attorney Singas extends her thanks to the SPCA for their assistance with this case.
Gary Rogers, Nassau County SPCA President said, “These charges are another example of the great working relationship the SPCA has with the DA’s office. People know how seriously animal crimes are taken in Nassau County.”
DA Singas said the defendant was renting in a basement bedroom of a home on Wellington Road in Mineola and had lived there for a month before the property owner and her children began to notice unexplainable injuries to their eight-year-old Toy Poodle named Layla. After they returned home from work and school on the night of March 29, they noticed the dog was in serious distress and rushed her to a veterinarian for emergency care.
The veterinarian diagnosed the 10-pound dog with a concussion, trauma to the jaw, multiple, bilateral rib fractures, blood in urine, corneal ulcers and bruising about the body and concluded that the injuries were consistent with the infliction of blunt force trauma and not accidental. The defendant was allegedly the only person with access to the dog during the day on March 29.
Layla is still recovering from her injuries and to date, veterinary bills have totaled over $6,000. The defendant no longer lives in the home and stay away orders of protection have been ordered for the family.
This case is being handled by Chief of the Animal Crimes Unit, Jed Painter and Assistant District Attorney Helene Weiss. The defendant is represented by Samuel Reiff, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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