A New York man who mutilated a pup, and pleaded guilty to three felonies and two misdemeanors for the torture, will not spend any time behind bars. On Monday, a press release from the Nassau County SPCA indicated that the man who cut off the pup's ears and leg, without anesthetic, was conditionally discharged instead of being sentenced to the two years of jail time that the charges could have mandated.
Judge Angelo Delligatti sentenced 34-year-old Reginald Smith on Friday - as long as Smith stays out of trouble, he will not have to go to jail; technically, the man is not even on probation. The SPCA press release stated, "Judge Angelo Delligatti stated that the defendant now had plans to move to Georgia and to give him probation would not have allowed him to move and would have upset his plans."
The pup at the center of the abuse trial is a pit bull mix named "Harper." The Nassau County SPCA referred to Smith as a "kennel worker," not a veterinary technician and in the press release, outrage over the slap-on-the-wrist sentence was expressed; the release states, "The judge also was "abhorred" by the defendant's actions but gave him "slight credit" for not being an abuser of animals! Completely cutting off the ears and half of a leg without an anesthetic, without any medical training or expertise qualifies for what?
All of us have been horrified and outraged many times when we hear of a tragedy that occurred and the punishment that ultimately is rendered by the judge. We're stuck with a court system governed by politics that rarely gives us the most qualified candidates, who also are rarely accountable for their actions."
Harper eventually recovered from her injuries and was adopted to a new family. Those who fought for justice on her behalf are asking for Harper's supporters to voice their displeasure to the judge who gave the light sentence.
Judge Angelo Delligati: I and other supporters of animal rights are horrified that Reginald Smith was conditionally discharged rather than given jail time for his horrific crime against the puppy Harper. Cutting off a dogs leg and ears without anesthesia is nothing but torture, plain and simple. It's been shown time and time again that people who are capable of this level of cruelty to animals will continue on to hurt people. Technically you didn't even give this man probation! This is appalling! How can you not call this abuse? You should be removed from your position if you cannot fulfill you duties as a judge. We have animal cruetly laws in this country for a reason, but they're useless if judges like yourself do nothing to enforce them.
