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Bronx Man Convicted of Beating and Torturing Puppy to Death

By Eddie Small | August 3, 2015 4:46pm
 Dwayne Gentles could face up to a year behind bars for the death of Brandy, a 4-month-old pit bull puppy.
Dwayne Gentles could face up to a year behind bars for the death of Brandy, a 4-month-old pit bull puppy.
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DOC/ASPCA

THE BRONX — It took a jury 15 minutes to convict a man who tortured and beat a 4-month-old pit bull puppy to death, according to the Bronx District Attorney's Office.

On Friday, a jury found Dwayne Gentles, 29, guilty of torturing and killing the dog, Brandy, in December 2012.

At trial, witnesses said they heard several whimpers from the dog at 456 Commonwealth Ave., where Gentles lived with other members of his family.

A few days before Christmas, Brandy could not walk and was barely conscious, according to the Bronx DA's Office. Gentles brought her to a veterinary emergency room, where doctors advised him that she should be humanely euthanized.

The case was reported to the ASPCA, and the organization's forensic veterinarian Dr. Robert Reisman testified that the dog had suffered from both fresh injuries as well as old ones, including 13 broken ribs, two broken femurs, broken teeth and a fractured jaw that stopped her from eating.

Brandy had internal injuries as well from blunt force trauma, and she was also emaciated and flea-ridden with severe neurological trauma, the DA's office said.

Gentles was remanded to jail following their decision and will be sentenced on Aug. 13 by Supreme Court Judge Miriam Best. He could face up to a year behind bars for his crime.