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ASPCA Announces Two Arrests In Separate Animal Cruelty Cases

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced arrests in two separate animal cruelty cases involving puppies.

The ASPCA said NYC Correction Officer Justin Burton of Brooklyn was arrested for allegedly neglecting his pit bull mix named Tori.

The ASPCA said Tori was found at the Animal Care & Control's Brooklyn facility with a collar embedded in her neck. Veterinarians determined the wound was three weeks old.

Tori, Injured Puppy Recovered By ASPCA
Tori's neck wound, healed up. (credit: ASPCA)
Tori, Injured Puppy Recovered By ASPCA
Tori, fully recovered and ready for adoption. (credit: ASPCA)

Burton, Tori's owner, was charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. He faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Tori is expected to be made available for adoption. People who are interested in adopting Tori can click here.

In a separate case, Jerome Smith of Manhattan was arrested for allegedly neglecting two terrier mix puppies named Jack and Jill.

Jill, The Malnourished Puppy Recovered By The ASPCA
Jill was malnourished when agents recovered her, the ASPCA said. (credit: ASPCA)

Jack and Jill were allegedly left behind by Smith, 23, after he was evicted from his Lenox Avenue apartment. Both were dehydrated, malnourished, and underweight. Jack weighed 12.7 pounds and Jill weighed 8.5 pounds. After being fed a proper diet, the now weigh 36.5 and 30.3 pounds respectively. They have both been adopted.

Smith was charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. He faces up to two years in jail and/or a $2,000 fine if convicted.

Jill, The Malnourished Puppy Recovered By The ASPCA After Treatment
Jill after receiving treatment from the ASPCA. (credit: ASPCA)

Anyone with information about suspected animal cruelty cases is asked to call the ASPCA at 877-THE-ASPCA (843-2772). You can also email them at enforcement@aspca.org.

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