Esposito, age 17, set fire to The Bergen Beach Stables because he wanted to get back at his former girlfriend whose family kept a horse in the stable. Esposito stated that the fire was sent accidentally when he discarded a marijuana cigarette, however fire investigators have concluded that the fire was set and at the stall of the families horse. In August 2000 Esposito was given a 57-count indictment of arson and reckless endangerment including 21 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. Esposito remains free on a $75,000 bail. If convicted Esposito could get up to 15 years in prison. A preliminary hearing was held on April 7th. His next court appearance is on May 4th, 2001.
Esposito lives at 1459 East 57 St. just 6 blocks from the E. 66th St. stables. The James Madison High School drop out was arrested in May 2000 on graffiti charges.
Karen Facciolo and her daughter Roseanne owned the 46 stall stable since 1984 stated that they did not know Esposito. "It's a heartless, cruel act that could never be fixed," she said. "All I wish is that he would suffer our pain and know what's in our hearts."
Ordered out of the stable by a duty captain because the fire was getting out of control, the firefighters worked from the outside of the structure, freeing three of the animals by cutting into stalls with a heavy-duty saw.
Dino, an 18-year-old Shetland overweight pony who cut his legs trying to kick his way out of the stall, had to be dragged to safety by firefighters. Once outside, a firefighter removed his oxygen mask and placed it over the pony's nostrils.
One of the surviving horses, "Jenny," was uninjured. Dino and a Palomino mix, "Tiffany," were taken to the Police Department stables at 2801 Brighton 3rd St., where a veterinarian treated them for burns and smoke inhalation, fire officials said.
Dino who is the size of a Great Dane has blindness in one eye and severe lung damage. Dino now lives at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Kerhonkson, NY. He will not be up for adoption because the injuries are permanent. Karen Facciolo could no longer afford to house and keep Dino because of the emotional and financial damages as a result of the fire.
The Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a not-for-profit, local grassroots effort aimed at providing a safe haven for abandoned and abused farm animals. Their goal is to be able to house a hundred animals within the next 5 years. For more information about the sanctuary go to http://www.casanctuary.com. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References | The New York Times 6/11 & 8/26/2000 | | CNN 9/18/2000 | | The Catskill Animal Sanctuary | | Firehouse.com | | The Website - Bergen Beach Stable Fire at |
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