Lisa Spector From Care2

Over two years ago, I wrote about Patrick, the Pit Bull who was tied up outside Kisha Curtis’ door in New Jersey, nearly starved to death, and later found in a garbage chute, tossed out like trash. Garden State Veterinary Hospital (GSVS) spent many months lovingly nursing Patrick back to health. And it took over two years for Curtis to plead guilty to charges of animal cruelty.

While she could face up to 18 months in prison, it’s more likely that Curtis won’t serve any jail time because she has no prior convictions. Curtis also gave up all legal rights to Patrick (hmm, I’m pretty sure she didn’t cry any tears over that one). When found, after being tossed in the garbage chute, Patrick weighed 19 pounds. He’s now a healthy 50 plus pounds.

Sadly, a dispute over Patrick’s custody, that I wrote about over two years ago, still continues between Garden State Veterinary Specialists, the Associated Humane Societies, and the City of Newark. For the past two and a half years, Patricia Smillie-Scavelli (Administrator of Garden State Veterinary Specialists) has been his caretaker and nurtured him back to full health.

Strange how a Pit Bull that nobody wanted when he was starving and tied up outside Curtis’ door, is now in a custody battle by so many who want legal custody. What do you think? Who should have legal custody of Patrick? And, what sentence do you think Curtis should be required to serve?

Photo Credit: Garden State Veterinary Specialists. The photo was sent to me as a thank you response for sending him a Through a Dog’s Ear CD.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/puppy-thrown-in-garbage-abuser-pleads-guilty.html