On November 23, 2005, a Manhattan man was arrested for beating to death a small mixed-breed dog he had adopted from an animal shelter, officials said.
Oleg Zhdanov, 35, was arrested and charged with one count of felony animal cruelty for the death of Lelu, a 15-pound mixed terrier, said special agent Joseph Pentangelo of the ASPCA. Zhdanov had adopted Lelu from the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington earlier this year, and by June, the small animal required a number of visits to the veterenarian for injuries, Pentangelo said.
When ASPCA investigators visited Zhdanov in July, he reported that the animal had died but could not identify where he had buried the remains, according to Pentangelo. Zhdanov gave a statement to investigators admitting that he caused the death of the animal, Pentangelo said.
A law enforcement official who asked not to be identified said earlier medical examination of Lelu showed that the small animal had suffered from "cauliflower" ears, indicating it had been hit on the head.
Case UpdatesAn unemployed Manhattan man who authorities said admitted to killing his 5-month-old puppy was arraigned Friday on a felony animal cruelty charge.
Oleg Zhdanov, 35, was arrested at his West 56th Street apartment at 8 p.m. Wednesday after he said things "that led us to believe he was responsible for the death of the dog," said Joseph Pentangelo, a special agent for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"He made statements saying he had beaten the dog to death," Pentangelo said. Authorities said Zhdanov made the admissions in writing and on videotape.
Zhdanov was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, according to Barbara Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney's office.
The ASPCA began investigating a report that the 6-pound pup appeared to have been abused in July. A veterinarian, Dr. Maureen Walsh, told investigators that the dog had a broken hip and swollen ears, injuries that are often signs of abuse.
ASPCA agents went to Zhdanov's apartment on July 6 and were told by Zhdanov's companion, Tanya Becker, 48, that the Labrador mix, named Lelu, was dead and had been buried upstate, Pentangelo said. He said she claimed not to know how Lelu died.
Pentangelo said Becker told agents she worked in a pet store, Creature Features, while Zhdanov "characterized himself as unemployed."
The suspect would not say exactly where the puppy was buried. "Mr. Zhdanov was not forthcoming about giving the location of this or any other dogs," Pentangelo said.
A neighborhood doorman and other witnesses told the ASPCA they saw Zhdanov hitting and kicking the dog, Pentangelo said. The ASPCA said Zhdanov was charged with a felony count of animal cruelty and faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
Pentangelo said the case would be presented to a grand jury next week.
Calls to a telephone number for Becker seeking comment were not returned. A telephone listing for a lawyer for Zhadanov could not be found Friday night.
Agents of the Humane Law Enforcement Division of the ASPCA, which investigates crimes against animals, are authorized to execute warrants and carry firearms. | Source: New York Newsday - Nov 25, 2005
Update posted on Nov 27, 2005 - 11:59AM |
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