A Cook County correctional officer who adopted a 12-week-old puppy in June has been charged with animal cruelty after the dog was found dead, its head beaten and bones fractured, authorities said.
Peter G. Stratigos, 35, of the 8600 block of North Shermer Road in Niles, was charged July 8 with misdemeanor animal cruelty in the June 19 death of a female shepherd-mix puppy.
Animal-welfare activists are pushing for more serious charges to be filed and have placed Stratigos' name on a state list that warns shelters not to allow him to adopt a pet.
The Cook County state's attorney's office is awaiting necropsy results on the dog's remains before deciding whether to charge Stratigos with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, officials said.
Stratigos paid $64 June 12 to adopt the puppy from the Chicago Department of Animal Care and Control, officials said. On his adoption application, Stratigos indicated he wanted the dog as a "personal companion for himself," said Melanie Sobel, a department spokeswoman.
On June 19, Stratigos, who at the time was an auxiliary police officer in Niles, called the Police Department's Animal Control Division to report that the dog had bitten somebody in the house, said Deputy Police Chief Charlie Giovannelli. When officers arrived at the home, they found the puppy dead, he said.
Officials said there was no indication anyone in the home had sought treatment for a dog bite. Stratigos reportedly told police he kicked the puppy after it bit him, officials said.
Police took the dog's body to a veterinarian, who reported that it suffered numerous injuries, including multiple fractures and blunt head trauma, officials said.
Stratigos is scheduled for a status hearing Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court in Skokie, said Jerry Lawrence, spokesman for the state's attorney's office. Results of the necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, are expected by Monday, and a decision on any additional charges will be made before Tuesday's hearing, he said.
Aggravated animal cruelty is a Class 4 felony punishable by probation or up to 3 years in prison, officials said. Stratigos has no criminal history, officials said.
Stratigos has worked as a guard at the Cook County Jail since 1998, said Cook County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Sally Daly. The department's internal affairs division has opened a file on Stratigos, Daly said, but officials will wait to see whether the charge is upgraded before launching an investigation.
Stratigos was fired from his part-time job with the Niles Police Department after he was charged with the misdemeanor, Giovannelli said.
On Thursday, animal adoption activists in the area expressed frustration with the pace of the criminal investigation.
"If we hadn't stayed on top of law-enforcement officials, I think this just would have gone away," said Cherie Travis, director of People and Animals in Community Together.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is demanding felony charges be filed against a Chicago-area man who allegedly beat his 13-week-old puppy to death. PETA sent a letter to Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Rick Cenar, urging him to place the felony charges under Illinois' animal protection laws.
Currently, Peter Stratigos faces only misdemeanor charges stemming from the June 29 incident.
PETA spokesman Martin Mersereau said "Given the clear wording of Illinois' animal-protection law, it is difficult to imagine the reasons why only a misdemeanor count has been filed against Stratigos." Case UpdatesFormer Police Worker Found Innocent On Animal Cruelty Charges
A Cook County judge found a Niles resident and former member of the Niles Police Dept. innocent on two felony counts of animal cruelty related to a June 19 incident.
Peter Stratigos, 37, was charged with two felony counts for kicking his three-month-old puppy to death. Stratigos said he never intended on killing the animal.
A judge heard the case Feb. 24. On Feb. 26, both sides delivered their final arguments and later that day the judge acquitted Stratigos.
According to the defendant, the puppy -- Athena -- was threatening his four-year old son at the time of the incident.
The dog died of injuries related to hemorrhage, three broken ribs and a fractured jaw and femur, a necropsy indicated.
Prosecutors said Stratigos lost his temper on Athena who weighed 15 pounds and subsequently kicked it to death.
Stratigos' actions outraged many animal rights activists who filled nearly half the court room on Feb. 24 and Feb. 26, reports stated.
Stratigos faced probation or up to 3 years in prison had he been convicted of the charges. Stratigos worked at County Jail and was suspended without pay after the charges were levied.
Stratigos also served as an at-will employee at the Niles Police Dept. Officials fired Stratigos following the incident citing behavioral issues.
At-will personnel are un-sworn employees used in support capacities. They did not attend police academy, nor do they carry a gun. Commander John Fryksdale explained that at-will employees can be released from the department without reason. | | Update posted on Mar 4, 2004 - 9:48PM |
In his first public account of the June 19 incident, Peter Stratigos, 37, of the 8600 block of Shermer Road, Niles, said he never intended to kill the dog.
"The dog kept approaching us," Stratigos said, his voice quavering. "I leaned over; I tried to get her to stop. At that point she bit me."
The trial before Cook County Circuit Judge Garritt Howard in Skokie took most of Tuesday. On Thursday, attorneys will make final arguments. If convicted, Stratigos could receive probation or up to 3 years in prison.
His attorney, Peter Petrakis, said Stratigos was doing all he could to keep an aggressive dog from going after his child, even though the mixed breed puppy, Athena, weighed just 15 pounds.
Read More: Update posted on Feb 26, 2004 - 11:41AM |
A necropsy reportedly revealed that the puppy had sustained injuries consistent with repeated, blunt-force trauma�indicating that she had been beaten to death. Stratigos was arrested on July 8 by Niles police officers and subsequently charged with cruel treatment of animals. However, despite the clear wording of Illinois state law, Peter Stratigos faced only a misdemeanor charge for his alleged crime.
The charge against Stratigos has been upgraded to a felony. He now faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $25,000 fine or more if specified.
Letters of appreciation can be sent here:
Rick Cenar, Assistant State Attorney
Cook County State�s Attorney�s Office
5600 Old Orchard Rd.
Skokie, IL 60077
847-470-5949 (fax) | | Update posted on Dec 19, 2003 - 7:35PM |
Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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