QUEENS — A puppy which was kicked, punched and choked is currently recovering after it was rescued and its owner charged with animal cruelty, according to the ASPCA and the Queens District Attorney’s office.
“The puppy is now safely in the care of the ASPCA and has been evaluated by medical staff at the ASPCA Animal Hospital,” Natasha Whitling, a spokeswoman for the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said in a statement Monday.
She declined to further discuss the dog's condition.
The pet's 26-year-old owner, identified as Eric Ranger who is also known as “E Bone” of Jamaica, has been charged with animal cruelty and other charges after neighbors said they saw him kicking, punching and choking his pit bull puppy over the last six weeks, the DA’s office said.
The neghbors also told police they heard the dog crying inside the suspect's apartment.
A police officer also saw Ranger punching the dog to the ground. When questioned later, Ranger allegedly said that he “was trying to set the dog straight,” prosecutors said.
Surveillance footage provided additional evidence showing the man mistreating the pet.
"The defendant was allegedly observed by more than one person mistreating his helpless puppy,” District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement last week.
According to Brown, police executed a court-authorized search warrant last Wednesday and rescued the puppy, which was found in an upside-down milk crate weighted down by two cases of soda, authorities said.
“His rescue is the nicest Christmas gift [the dog] could have received this year," Brown said.
Police also allegedly recovered three loose joints and two glassine envelopes of marijuana from the apartment.
Ranger was charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, torturing and injuring an animal, failure to provide sustenance and unlawful possession of marijuana, according to the DA’s office.
If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.
It was not immediately clear whether Ranger, who is due back in court on Feb. 8, has an attorney.
The puppy's future remains unclear.
“It is too early to discuss adoption,” Whitling said. “This is an open case with the Queens District Attorney and we cannot comment further at this time.”
