Nassau Man Gets 1 Year in Prison for Animal Abuse That Left Puppy Disfigured

A Westbury man was sentenced to one year in prison Wednesday in connection to the improper amputation of the leg and ears of a pit bull puppy named Miss Harper, according to the New York State Attorney General’s Office.

Lee Hughes, 42, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlicensed practice and aggravated cruelty to animals. He was also barred from owning animals for five years after his prison sentence, must register as a convicted animal abuser and was ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution for treatment of the puppy.

His wife, Shawana Hughes, 40, of Oyster Bay, was sentenced to one year in prison last week in this case.

“Today’s stiff sentencing serves as a reminder that my office will not tolerate those who mistreat and abuse animals in New York State,” Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a press release.

According to the AG, Hughes his wife helped Reginald Smith, 35, of Westbury, practice veterinary medicine without a license to treat injuries to the puppy’s right hind leg and ears from July 1, 2013 to Aug. 30, 2013.

The AG claims they mutilated the animal’s leg and and maimed her ears by cutting them off. Miss Harper was put up for adoption after receiving care by veterinarians.

The AG claims they mutilated the animal’s leg and and maimed her ears by cutting them off. Miss Harper was put up for adoption after receiving care by veterinarians.

• More photos of Miss Harper can be found here: Maimed Puppy Looking for Home as Officials Hunt Her Abusers

Smith was sentenced to a conditional discharge.

Hughes also pleaded guilty in Feb. 2014 for failure to provide proper sustenance and failing to provide veterinary for a severe injury suffered by his dog Snowball, leading to amputation of one of the dog’s legs, authorities said. His wife was also involved in this case and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Image via NCSPCA