Failure to provide vet care, maggot infestation
North Bellport, NY (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Oct 5, 2006
County: Suffolk
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Tonya Hinton
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Suffolk police arrested a Coram woman Dec 6 on charges of animal cruelty after investigators determined that she allowed her dog to die by neglecting the canine after it had been hit by a vehicle.
Tonya Hinton, of 33 Barbara Lane, was arrested after a two-month investigation into the dog's death. Her specific role into the canine's death was unclear Thursday morning, but police said she was "aware that the dog was struck by a vehicle and failed to provide the animal with appropriate care."
Hinton, who could not be reached for comment, was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Feb. 13.
The investigation into the dog's death dates to Oct. 5 when police were called to Taylor Avenue in North Bellport to control a loose pit bull in the area. Animal control officers were called in to help and, after reining in the "vicious" pit bull, they discovered the decomposed corpse of the dog behind a house on Taylor Avenue -- Hinton's old address before moving to Barbara Lane.
A necropsy later determined that the dog had sustained injuries to its hip and pelvic area, an indication that the dog would have been unable to walk. The cause of death was "sepsis secondary to maggot infestation," police said.
The Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Suffolk's Fifth Precinct subsequently investigated the dog's death. Police did not release any other information about the dog.
It was unclear when the dog was hit by a vehicle, or who drove that vehicle. Police believe, however, that the vehicle struck the dog a few days before its corpse was found.
Case UpdatesTonya M. Hinton pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of torturing or injuring an animal on April 20, according to court records. The conviction stems from her failure to take her dog to the vet after it was hit by a car.
The investigation into the dog's death dates back to October 5, 2006, when officers were called to control a loose pit bull in the area. While at the scene, animal control officers discovered the decomposed corpse of a dog behind the house where Hinton had previously resided.
A necropsy later determined that the dog had sustained injuries to its hip and pelvic area. The cause of death was "sepsis secondary to maggot infestation," police said.
Hinton will appear for sentencing on June 15, 2007. | Source: Suffolk Criminal Court # 2006SUO68313
Update posted on Apr 23, 2007 - 11:59PM |
| Tonya Hinton will appear in court next on March 20, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. Hinton faces animal cruelty charges for allegedly failing to take her dog to the vet after it was hit by a car. Police stated that she was "aware that the dog was struck by a vehicle and failed to provide the animal with appropriate care." The cause of death was "sepsis secondary to maggot infestation". | Source: Docket # 2006-SU068313
Update posted on Feb 14, 2007 - 9:22PM |
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