Posted on: September 09, 2019 02:00 PM

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Queens woman indicted on animal cruelty charges in the starvation death of her puppy

Acting Queens District Attorney John M. Ryan announced today that a Springfield Gardens resident has been indicted on animal cruelty and falsifying business records charges stemming from the November 2017, death of her 1 1/2-year-old Yorkshire Terrier dog, who died hours after the defendant brought the animal to a local veterinary clinic.

Acting District Attorney Ryan said, ?The defendant allegedly starved her dog and failed to adequately care for the pet. The tiny animal?s fur was severely unkempt and the animal?s stomach only contained blood and pieces of plastic - no food whatsoever. The dog died a horrible death.?

The District Attorney?s Office identified the defendant as Shawna Austin, 29, of 146th Avenue in the Springfield Gardens section of Queens. Austin was arraigned Friday before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry S. Kron on a four-count indictment charging her with aggravated cruelty to animals, first- and second-degree falsifying business records, and overdriving, torturing or injuring an animal. Justice Kron released the defendant on her own recognizance and ordered her to return to court on November 18, 2019.

According to the charges, on November 27, 2017, Austin took her dog - an approximately one-and-a half year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Khloe - to a veterinary clinic in Long Island. The dog was in highly critical condition when she was taken to the clinic. Little Khloe died less than 8 hours after the defendant brought her in. When questioned, Austin allegedly claimed to detectives that the dog had not eaten in several days. The defendant also claimed that she thought the dog died as a result of high blood pressure.

Continuing, according to the charges, Acting DA Ryan said, a necropsy performed by a licensed ASPCA forensic veterinarian revealed that the dog, who weighed less at the time of her death than she had weighed at a previous puppy check-up, had gone without food and was ungroomed for several weeks to months. The forensic examination also determined that the dog?s emaciated condition stemmed from a lack of adequate nutrition, and it was the malnutrition that caused her death. Furthermore, the veterinarian discovered traces of plastic and digested blood in the dog?s stomach, all signs that the animal had the capacity, drive, and desire to eat, but had not received food.

Furthermore, according to the charges, the defendant allegedly listed a relative?s name on documents she filled out pertaining to the dog?s treatment at the veterinarian clinic in an attempt to distance herself from the alleged abuse.

It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. (From Queens DA's office)