The Brooklyn District Attorney has not yet filed charges related to yesterday’s multi-agency rescue of 23 dogs living in squalor in a Sheepshead Bay couple’s two homes, though the city did issue a slew of health- and safety-related violations.
The DA’s office is still investigating the case, and the dogs are in the custody of Animal Care & Control.
“The dogs need to be evaluated to see what condition they’re in, and that can take up to two weeks,” said a spokesperson for the DA.
The city first needs to determine the severity of the treatment before it can raise animal cruelty charges, the spokesperson said.
Sheepshead Bites broke the story yesterday of the rescue of 23 dogs from a Bedford Avenue couple. The duo kept 13 dogs in their primary residence at 4215 Bedford Avenue and 10 dogs in a second home at 2713 Avenue Y that had no heat or running water.
An on-scene investigator mistakenly told us that the couple was facing 20 counts of animal cruelty. We have corrected the original report to reflect the latest update.
According to the Tri-State Shetland Sheepdog Rescue organization, which the DA noted was involved in bringing the case to their attention, the dogs were malnourished, anemic, flea-ridden and unvaccinated.
Apparently, the city agrees. The Department of Health gave the couple violations for owning dogs without rabies vaccine certificates.
At the Avenue Y address, the Department of Buildings has issued violations and ordered the couple to clean and make repairs within 30 days or face a vacate order. They also cited the couple for an illegal apartment in the Bedford Avenue home.
The FDNY issued violations for blocking exits at the Avenue Y house.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes will sign free copies of his book, "Incident at Howard Beach: The Case for Murder"
The public is cordially invited to attend a complimentary* book signing featuring six-term Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Howard Beach incident and the re-release of his book, “Incident at Howard Beach.”
Click to enlarge
The DA’s book signing will be held at the Law Office of Baron Associates P.C., 2509 Avenue U (between Bedford Avenue and East 26th Street), January 17 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
For those of you too young to remember, here is the book’s description, which paints an apt picture of the racial turmoil that enveloped our city more than 25 years ago:
In December of 1986, “Howard Beach” became a code all over the world for the worst in racial tensions. The story behind the Howard Beach incident, its investigation, and the subsequent trial is a story of hatred, brutality and deceit; of media outcry, political shuffling, and public manipulation: of a cast of characters ranging from petrified politicians and outraged black activists to the quiet citizens of an insular suburb. But it was up to one man to bring the case to trial and steer it to its fair conclusion: Special Prosecutor Charles J. “Joe” Hynes. Incident at Howard Beach is his story — a riveting and candid exposé of his fight to discern what really happened that night, his struggle to make a coherent case out of those events, and the battles and tactics he used during the trial a year later in state supreme court. From the on-site investigation through jury selection, behind-the-scenes deal-making and trial deliberation, here is everything that led to the convictions and helped to quiet a city in turmoil.
*According to a spokesperson from Baron Associates P.C., you are guaranteed a free book** as long as you RSVP. If you have not yet made your RSVP, and there are still extra books, those will be distributed as well.
** Because of demand, organizers have asked we change the above to first 100 RSVP’s received a free book. (Update: 8:15 p.m.)
To RSVP, call Baron Associates P.C. Office Manager Eugene Burko at (718) 934-6501 or email him at eugene.burko@baronassoc.com.
Screenshot from ABC newscast
A Brighton Beach couple living in the ritzy Oceana condo development has been arrested for illegally collecting thousands of dollars in Medicaid benefits by claiming to be poor. The wife said on application forms that she was single, and the man who is really her husband, a doctor with a practice in Sheepshead Bay, was just a friend who could attest to her poverty.
Find out the details of this case.
Flyer for Sabbath Seminar: Kol Tzedek
The Brooklyn D.A.’s office is holding a special Saturday educational meeting on the subject of Protecting Jewish Children and Families. The meeting is for tomorrow and being held at a Jewish Orthodox synagogue in Homecrest on a Sabbath day; meaning: this is a matter of great importance.
Here’s the information from the flyer :
The District Attorney Is Looking for You.
Kings County DA Charles J. Hynes will speak on the Kol Tzedek Program Protecting Jewish Children and Families
Shabbat, December 5, 2009
10 a.m.
Beth El Jewish Center of Flatbush
Ave. T and Homecrest Ave.
Question and answer session at Kiddush. Join us!
The address for the Beth El Jewish Center of Flatbush is 1981 Homecrest Avenue.
Note: We saw this flyer posted on an electrical pole on Avenue U. Although we’re (me) against most postings on lampposts and electrical posts (including ones related to the District Attorney’s office), this information is important enough to pass onto you. Look for our (my) editorial about this and other issues related to this flyer, in the future.
