Press Release

NEW YORK— Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) agents of the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) arrested three suspects on two separate animal cruelty incidents, charging them with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Bronx resident Eugene Elvin, 32, was arrested today by ASPCA Special Agent Peter Rivas for neglecting and starving a two-year-old female pit bull.

On December 17, 2010, ASPCA Agents responded to a report of an emaciated pit bull at the suspect’s residence. The dog appeared extremely thin and her water bowl had completely frozen over due to the frigid winter weather. The suspect admitted ownership of the dog and signed her over to the ASPCA, where she was immediately taken to the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for evaluation and treatment. The dog weighed 29.8 pounds when she was admitted to the hospital. Upon further examination, veterinarians at the hospital determined that the dog had been starved.

Elvin has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

In a separate incident, Queens residents Leroy and Nikira Shepard were both arrested on February 11, 2011, by ASPCA Special Investigator Deborah Ryan for neglecting and starving two pit bull terriers. The dogs, a nine-month-old male and two-year-old female, appeared very thin when ASPCA Agents went to the residence in response to a complaint. The Shepard siblings agreed to sign over the dogs to the ASPCA and upon further investigation by HLE agents and veterinary experts, it was determined that both dogs had been starved and there were no underlying medical problems to explain their poor body condition.

Leroy Shepard, 18, and Nikira Shepard, 20, were both with charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. If convicted, they each face up to two years in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.

All three dogs are currently being treated at ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital and not yet available for adoption.