By Tiffany Williams –
Isaiah Gurley, 29, of South Conduit Avenue in Jamaica Queens, New York, faces a seven-count indictment for allegedly killing and burning a pit bull that belonged to a relative. The dog, named Square K, was a service animal.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said the defendant “was supposed to be caring for a family member’s dog and instead subjected it to unfathomable cruelty as he killed the pit bull and then set it on fire. This dog suffered needlessly, and we have no tolerance for animal abuse in Queens County.”
Gurley was arraigned today and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, arson in the fifth degree, harming a service animal in the second degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree, and petit larceny. Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky ordered him to return to court on November 18. If convicted, Gurley could face 2 1/3 to seven years in prison.
Authorities said that on July 24, around 9 a.m., an NYPD lieutenant discovered the charred remains of the dog on 116th Avenue in South Ozone Park. The NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad was called in.
Surveillance footage showed Gurley entering First Class Deli on Rockaway Boulevard at 4:40 a.m., picking up a bottle of oil and allegedly leaving without paying. Minutes later, video allegedly captured him dragging an unconscious dog by a leash and setting it on fire near several cars.
After images of Gurley were released to the public, the NYPD received a 911 call on July 28 reporting him at Foot Locker in Queens Center Mall. He was arrested by members of the 110th precinct.
An ASPCA post-mortem found the dog suffered blunt force trauma to the head before being set on fire.