BRONX MAN IS ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 16 year-old Bronx man has been arraigned on charges of animal cruelty for killing two female Staffordshire terriers, also known as "pit bull terriers" last August.

Ricardo Plasencia, of 970 Boston Road, was indicted last September 16, 2004, on two counts of Aggravated cruelty to animals, a class "E" felony offense, under the Agriculture and Markets Law §353A Sub 1. Plasencia was arraigned before Acting State Supreme Court Justice John N. Byrne in Part A. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum term of up to four years imprisonment.

The incident occurred during the early morning hours of August 31, 2004, when the defendant allegedly led his two pit bull terriers to a secluded location within Charlton Garden Park, and beat the dogs to death with a large tree branch.

Based on an investigation conducted by the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Unit, and statements made by the defendant, the defendant was arrested and charged with the crime.

Assistant District Attorney Kiran C. Vashista of the Investigations Bureau is prosecuting this case.