A heartless Queens man who brutally beat his eight-pound Chihuahua was busted after the dog later died at a hospital, ASCPA officials said.
A hulking 265-pound Jerry Melendez, 33, allegedly took his rage out on his defenseless eight-pound dog on February 10, striking him with enough force to fracture his skull and causing a hemorrhage to his left eye.
“It appears he was just frustrated and became angry at his family dog,” said ASPCA Asst. Director Joe Pentangelo.
After the heinous assault in Ridgewood, Melendez rushed five-year-old Spotty, to a private animal hospital where doctors desperately tried treating him for seizures and head trauma. They were left with no choice but to euthanize the pooch, whose injuries were just too severe.
Veterinarians notified the ASPCA and a necropsy later determined Spotty sustained blunt force impact.
Melendez, was charged with one felony count of animal cruelty yesterday.
He faces up to two years in prison and a $2,000 fine.
“It’s a serious arrest with serious consequences,” said Pentangelo, of the ASPCA’s first felony arrest of the year.
Anyone who witnesses animal abuse is urged to call 1-877 The-ASPCA.