Max. Penalties for Animal Abuse in Utica NY

Wed. March 10: Another case of animal cruelty in Utica resulted in an arrest of Rebecca L. Spratt, 24 years old, of 319 Rutger Street in Utica. She was charged by the Utica Police Department with misdemeanor animal cruelty after she allegedly stabbed a 6 month old pit bull puppy in the head. This incident was involved with a domestic dispute. The dog suffered the head wound and the loss of a significant amount of blood and was taken to Burrstone Animal Hospital for treatment. The injuries were not considered life threatening. Rebecca Spratt was also charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief involved with the domestic dispute. She was arraigned in Utica City Court by Judge Ralph Eannace and bail was set at $3,000. She is back in court on Tuesday March 16th at 1pm in front of Judge Jerry Popeo. The case was adjourned until Tuesday March 30th for pre-trial.
Rebecca Spratt has claimed that she was defending herself from the puppy who was attacking her.  She has shown no evidence of trauma, nor has the Steven Swan Humane Society or others involved reported any aggression in this animal.
There has been numerous cases of animal cruelty in our area recently.  
We are urging you to prosecute this and all animal abuse cases to the maximum penalty the law allows.  Animal cruelty in New York State can be punished by prison time, fines and mandated psychological assessment and counseling.  By ignoring this problem in our community, these horrific acts will continue.  We need to let animal abusers know that there are serious consequences to their actions.  Please consider the following:
70% of animal abusers were found in one 20 year study to have then committed other crimes, and 44% went on to harm people. (Arluke, A. & Luke, C. 1997).
In another study 88% of child abusers also abused the animals in the home. (Ascione)
In another recent study 99% of animal abusers had convictions for other crimes. (Clarke, J. P. 2002). In that same study it was found 100% of people who committed sexual homicide had abused animals. (Clarke, J. P. 2002). That study also revealed 61.5% of animal abusers had assaulted a human as well. (Clarke, J. P. 2002).
Wed. March 10: Another case of animal cruelty in Utica resulted in an arrest of Rebecca L. Spratt, 24 years old, of 319 Rutger Street in Utica. She was charged by the Utica Police Department with misdemeanor animal cruelty after she allegedly stabbed a 6 month old pit bull puppy in the head. This incident was involved with a domestic dispute. The dog suffered the head wound and the loss of a significant amount of blood and was taken to Burrstone Animal Hospital for treatment. The injuries were not considered life threatening. Rebecca Spratt was also charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief involved with the domestic dispute. She was arraigned in Utica City Court by Judge Ralph Eannace and bail was set at $3,000. She is back in court on Tuesday March 16th at 1pm in front of Judge Jerry Popeo. The case was adjourned until Tuesday March 30th for pre-trial.
Rebecca Spratt has claimed that she was defending herself from the puppy who was attacking her.  She has shown no evidence of trauma, nor has the Steven Swan Humane Society or others involved reported any aggression in this animal.
There has been numerous cases of animal cruelty in our area recently.  
We are urging you to prosecute this and all animal abuse cases to the maximum penalty the law allows.  Animal cruelty in New York State can be punished by prison time, fines and mandated psychological assessment and counseling.  By ignoring this problem in our community, these horrific acts will continue.  We need to let animal abusers know that there are serious consequences to their actions.  Please consider the following:
70% of animal abusers were found in one 20 year study to have then committed other crimes, and 44% went on to harm people. (Arluke, A. & Luke, C. 1997).
In another study 88% of child abusers also abused the animals in the home. (Ascione)
In another recent study 99% of animal abusers had convictions for other crimes. (Clarke, J. P. 2002). In that same study it was found 100% of people who committed sexual homicide had abused animals. (Clarke, J. P. 2002). That study also revealed 61.5% of animal abusers had assaulted a human as well. (Clarke, J. P. 2002).