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Man Charged with Animal Cruelty After Dog's Paw Falls Off From Neglect: DA

By Shaye Weaver | April 14, 2017 12:08pm | Updated on April 17, 2017 8:48am

UPPER EAST SIDE — An East Harlem man was charged with animal cruelty and torture after his dog's paw fell off due to lack of grooming, authorities said.

Kenneth Hill, 25, took his bichon frise, Snow, to the Animal Medical Center on East 62nd Street on Monday at 8:33 p.m. holding the dog in one hand and the dog's front right paw — completely separated from the leg — in another, a criminal complaint said.

A veterinarian's evaluation found that his paw came off because Snow's fur was extremely matted, cutting off blood circulation, prosecutors said.

Snow's fur was severely matted around his entire body and his nails hadn't been cut for an extended period of time, the complaint said. He also looked underweight and smelled bad.

"I haven't been grooming him because he doesn't like to be groomed," Hill told authorities. "I have my own manner of grooming."

Hill was arraigned on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and causing extreme physical pain, as well as overdriving, torturing and injuring an animal.

The judge set his bail at $5,000 cash or bond. He's being held at the Manhattan Detention Complex and was due back in court on Friday, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday.

Snow, who is 15 years old, was taken to the ASPCA for rehabilitation and is expected to recover, police noted. 

"He is resting comfortably but will require several weeks of ongoing medical care," an ASPCA spokeswoman said, pointing to the agency's post about how to avoid matting, including brushing and using a groomer to cut mats out.