Authorities have arrested a father and son who video-taped the family vacation, where they skinned rabbits alive and allowed their pet dogs to attack them.
Investigators believe the video was shot last month. It showed a large gathering of relatives laughing and enjoying themselves inside the Loverso home at 115 Connecticut Ave. as the rabbits were being prepared to be cooked, Gross said.
One after another, live large brown rabbits were pulled from boxes by the father and son, Gross said. Some of the rabbits were held by their hind legs and given karate chops by the Loversos. "It was as if one was showing the other how to do it," Gross said.
One rabbit, which presumably had been knocked unconscious, was held upside down and skinned. While it was skinned, the rabbit regained consciousness, Gross said. "Instead of killing it, they continued skinning it while the rabbit is screaming in pain," Gross said.
Another rabbit was dropped on the floor by Rosario, Gross said, and allowed to be attacked by the family's miniature pinscher, "Cujo." According to Gross, "You could hear people saying 'Go ahead Cujo, go get it.'"
When the rabbit was pulled away from the dog, it had bite marks on its neck, Gross said. It was then held up, while the dog repeatedly jumped to bite it.
Matteo Loverso and Rosario Loverso each were charged with one count of cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail. The district attorney's office is reviewing the videotape. Additional charges are being considered, Gross said. "There's no law against raising animals and killing them for food," he said. "We are not looking to prosecute anyone for doing that. It was the way this was done. It wasn't humane." Case UpdatesIn December 2003, Matteo and Rosario pleaded guilty to charges and each received three (3) years probation, 40 hours of community service each and a $350.00 fine.
This was in lieu of 30 days of jail time. Even though the case is now closed, it will be reopened should either of them commit another act of animal cruelty within the three year period. | | Update posted on Oct 15, 2005 - 8:56PM |
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