MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Uniondale woman has been arrested for allegedly neglecting her dog, which had rubber bands tightly wrapped around its body.
Megan Ewers, 25, was arraigned before Judge Elizabeth Fox-McDonough and charged with Torturing or Injuring Animals/Failure to Provide Sustenance (an A misdemeanor). The defendant was conditionally released to probation and is due back in court February 2. If convicted of the top count she faces up to one year in jail.
“This defenseless animal experienced unimaginable pain and suffering while allegedly in the custody of his owner,” DA Singas said. “Fortunately, Ace has recovered and is now in a safe and loving home.”
DA Singas said on August 2, 2017, the defendant surrendered her dog, a seven-month-old male Chihuahua/Terrier/Pit Bull mix named Ace to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. During the intake exam of the dog, the veterinarian noticed it had rubber bands tightly wound around its testicles, which the doctor determined to be the cause of an infection. The veterinarian estimated the rubber bands were in place for at least one to two weeks in order to cause the amount of injury suffered by the dog. Ace later had surgery to treat the injury, recovered from his injuries and was adopted.
Assistant District Attorneys Carissa Danesi and Helene Weiss of DA Singas’ Animal Crimes Unit are prosecuting this case. The defendant is represented by the Legal Aid Society.
The NCDA would like to thank the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter for their assistance in this case.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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