Dog beaten with chain, attempted abandonment
Darby, PA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 22, 2011
County: Delaware

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Antique Benjamin

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

A Philadelphia man is behind bars after allegedly using a chain to severely beat the dog that his stepmother told him to get rid of last week, police said.

According to Darby police, Antique Benjamin, 27, of the 2100 block of Dagget Street, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on charges of cruelty to animals, disorderly conduct and dog abandonment.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Darby Police Officer Anthony Salvatore was on patrol in the area of 9th and Main streets when the occupants of a passing vehicle flagged him down.

The witnesses said they had just seen a black male in gray pants and a white T-shirt beating a dog near Main Street and MacDade Boulevard, the affidavit stated.

According to police, one witness saw the suspect beat the dog in the head with the chain so severely the animal "just laid on the ground."

When the suspect walked across MacDade Boulevard trying to leave the dog behind, she got up and began following him, the affidavit said.

The suspect allegedly returned to the animal and beat it again with the chain, police said.

The witness said the dog then lay back down on the sidewalk, according to police.

Yet as the witnesses were speaking with Salvatore, police said they pointed to a man walking at a fast pace along Main Street, continuously looking over his shoulder. He was holding a chain in his hand, the affidavit said.

The man reportedly identified himself to police, reports stated. He also reportedly told police his stepmother told him to get rid of the dog, "so that's what he was doing," police said.

When asked if he was beating the dog, Benjamin allegedly stated "yes," and he was taken into custody, according to police.

Salvatore returned to the scene where he found the dog laying on her side, breathing heavily.

According to police, the dog attempted to stand, but limped four steps and then fell down. A long red mark on the dog's head was evident, the affidavit said.

Police contacted Darby Animal Control Officer Dave Schlott, who, after taking the canine to the police station, brought it to the Delaware County SPCA.

SPCA Director of Community Relations Justina Calgiano said the dog seemed to suffer few ill effects from the alleged beating.

Named Skyye by her previous owner, the 1-year-old female dog is presumed to be a pit bull-shepherd mix, Calgiano said. The animal seems very well adjusted to both people and other dogs.

"She is very, very sweet. The minute she walked in, she climbed into the lap of one of our staff members," Calgiano said. "She is pretty resilient."

Skyye seemed very interested in the other dogs staying at the SPCA when she was taken on a walk through the shelter's kennel, Calgiano added.

Skyye has a lump on her head and is receiving pain medication. It is being closely monitored at the shelter, SPCA officials said.

But until she is formally turned over to the SPCA, Skyye is still the property of Benjamin's stepmother and is not available for adoption, Calgiano said.

Attempts last week by the SPCA staff to contact Benjamin's stepmother were unsuccessful , she added.

Benjamin was remanded to Delaware County prison in lieu of 10 percent of $10,000 bail.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 29 in front of Magisterial District Judge Leonard V. Tenaglia.

Case Updates

References

« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Delaware County, PA

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