QUEENS, NY – Paul Verite, 50, of Forest Hills, was indicted and arraigned on Monday on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, overdriving, torturing, or injuring an animal, related to the alleged repeated abuse of his female Boston Terrier, Espy.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, between September 16, 2022, and November 1, 2022, Verite subjected Espy to numerous unexplained and suspicious injuries, eventually leading to her death.
Espy’s post-mortem examination revealed that she had suffered multiple blunt force injuries, including 21 fractures out of 26 ribs, indicating sustained trauma over time.
Verite is ordered to return to court on June 14, and if convicted, could face up to two years in prison. The NYPD’s Special Investigations Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad conducted the investigation.