BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR FATALLY STABBING PIT BULL DOG

Defendant Knifed Dog More Than 50 Times

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to one year in jail for brutally stabbing an 18-month-old pit bull to death. The incident happened when the dog’s owner left him in the defendant’s care. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant mercilessly stabbed the dog, Onyx, more than 50 times and also slit his throat. We had recommended the maximum two-year sentence because of the disturbing level of violence. We will continue to pursue justice and prosecute those who commit such crimes against defenseless animals.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Stephen Richardson, 34, of 1237 Fulton Avenue, was sentenced today to one year in jail after pleading guilty to Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. He cannot own an animal for ten years and must register with the NYC Animal Abuse Registry. This plea was extended to the defendant by Bronx Supreme Court Justice April Newbauer over the objection of prosecutors, who recommended the maximum two-year sentence.

 According to the investigation, on December 29, 2017, the defendant was caring for the pit bull dog in his apartment, as he had been doing for approximately six months. Onyx’s owner passed by the defendant’s house to check on the dog, as she frequently did, and found the pit bull in the bathtub, dead. He had suffered multiple stab wounds, mostly in the face and neck. At the same time, police were responding to a 311 call about a possible animal abuse situation in the building. They went to the defendant’s apartment and arrested Richardson, and also recovered a knife.

 According to the investigation, the defendant said he stabbed Onyx in a park because the dog had bit him. Veterinarians said the canine died of a minimum of 55 sharp force wounds, including several that caused lacerations deep into his skin and tissue, and the dog was alive for several minutes.

 District Attorney Clark thanked N Y P D P o l i c e Officer Anthony Alvino of the 42nd Precinct and Dr. Alison Liu of the ASPCA for their assistance.