New York Dog Breeder Guilty Of Animal Cruelty

SALEM, MA -- A Salem Superior Court judge found a 54-year old Long Beach, NY dog breeder guilty Friday of animal cruelty following a week and a half long bench trial. Judge James Lang found Dominic Donovan guilty of six counts of animal cruelty. Donovan's bail was revoked and he was taken into custody until the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, July 25th at 2:00 pm in Salem Superior Court.

"This defendant cruelly inflicted pain and suffering on four innocent puppies and inhumanly killed two others. This is not only unacceptable but criminal," Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement. "I am grateful to everyone on the prosecution and investigative team for their hard work so that this defendant will be held accountable for these despicable acts."

Essex Assistant District Attorney Lynsey Legier introduced evidence that proved that, in early November 2014, Dominic Donovan hung two puppies - "Gotti" and "Livid" - by their collars because they failed to meet his "breed standard."

Their bodies were discovered 20 days later in a dumpster behind a gas station in Revere. He also cut the ears of four puppies using scissors and no anesthesia which later resulted in the death of one of the puppies. The dogs were so-called "Donovan pinschers," a breed that the defendant was developing.

Jason Gentry, 37, who agreed to testify against his co-defendant, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of animal cruelty and 1 count of unlicensed operation of a dog kennel on March 14, 2018. He will be sentenced following the sentencing of Mr. Donovan.

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.