Pet rats run over with vehicle, blood smeared
Bay Shore, NY (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 6, 2008
County: Suffolk
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Michelle Brown
Michelle Brown admits having issues with her ex-boyfriend, her lawyer said. But she pleaded not guilty yesterday [May 27, 2008] in District Court in Central Islip to what prosecutors described as an apparent act of vengeance -- running her car over two white rats, smearing their innards over his sister's front door and leaving their tiny bodies on her Bay Shore porch.
Brown, 23, of Freeport, was arraigned on misdemeanor animal torture charges before Judge Joseph Santorelli. She faces up to year in jail or three years probation if convicted, and returns to court on June 5.
Brown's lawyer, Steven Politi of Central Islip, said Brown, a medical office assistant, denies the accusation. He said Brown was upset on March 6 about an ongoing dispute with her boyfriend, with whom she has a 1-year-old boy. He was not in his sister's home at the time, Politi added.
Brown pleaded guilty earlier this year to disorderly conduct. She has three pending charges of criminal contempt of court and is also facing an aggravated harassment charge, all related to this dispute with the boyfriend, whose name was unavailable.
"There was cruelty that was going on with humans that has not been addressed," said Politi, adding in jest: "I understand that somebody got arrested killing a mosquito in Suffolk County."
The boyfriend and his sister, Sabrina Laroy, could not be reached for comment.
Prosecutor Michelle Auletta said Brown purchased the rats at a Petland Discounts store and left with them in a cardboard box. She then drove to Laroy's home, where the crime happened at noon, Auletta said.
Auletta pointed out that state law prohibits all animal cruelty, no matter the creature. References« NY State Animal Cruelty Map
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