By Stephen Stirling
Oswald Jaudon, 51, of 131-07 135th Ave. was charged with one count of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor, according to ASPCA Human Law Enforcement Assistant Director Joseph Pentangelo. If convicted, Jaudon could face up to one year in prison and fines of $2,000, the ASPCA said. Pentangelo said ASPCA officials responded to a call of an abused dog on Jaudon's property Jan. 3. When they arrived, they found Jaudon's malnourished 3-year-old chow named Lumpy with its collar wrapped so tightly around its neck that skin and muscle had begun to grow over it, according to the ASPCA. Pentangelo said the collar was so deeply embedded in the dog's skin that it had to be surgically removed, leaving Lumpy with more than 100 stitches and 20 surgical staples following the surgery. “The collar was acting like a tourniquet. There had been an infection in the dog's neck and the fluid was gathering in her head,” Pentangelo said. “I've seen embedded collars before, but I've never seen one that was embedded 360 degrees like that.” Pentangelo said Lumpy's prognosis was good and she was resting comfortably in the ASPCA's animal hospital in Manhattan Monday, but she still required 24-hour care. He said the collar found on Lumpy's neck had a circumference of 13 inches, four inches shorter than Lumpy's 17-inch neck. “It's such a traumatic case because the dog was literally being choked,” Pentangelo said. “It's hard to understand how someone could not be aware of that.” Once Lumpy's medical issues are resolved, Lumpy will be evaluated for adoption by the ASPCA. Pentangelo said while no determination has been made, he believes the 3-year-old dog will be able to find a good home. Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 162.
