An Elmont man was arrested after allegedly abandoning his two Great Danes, leaving one dead and one seriously injured, when he moved out of his basement apartment in January, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.
Mian Siddique, 49, moved out of his apartment on Jan. 1, Singas said in a statement. A Town of Hempstead animal control officer found the two dogs, Sheru and Maverick, in the basement apartment on Oakley Avenue during a welfare check 13 days later.
“This defendant allegedly moved out of his apartment abandoning his two Great Danes to die of dehydration and starvation,” Singas said. “Every dog deserves a caring and loving home, and when pet owners neglect or abuse their animals, we will hold them criminally accountable.”
(Photo courtesy of the Nassau County district attorney’s office)
Siddique was arraigned before Judge Elizabeth Fox-McDonough in District Court on Friday and charged with two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and two counts of abandonment of animals. He was released and is due back in court on May 4.
If convicted, Siddique faces up to a year in jail and $1,000 fine, Singas said.
A veterinarian examination by the Town of Hempstead Shelter found both dogs, brothers, to be about 30 to 40 pounds underweight, severely malnourished and allegedly neglected for a minimum of two to three months, according to the district attorney’s office.
Sheru was weak and had severe dental disease and multiple pressure sores. Sheru died after vomiting pieces of fabric during treatment.
Maverick, found with hair loss, pressure sores and dental disease, has since been adopted.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen thanked the district attorney and the animal shelter for their efforts.
“Thanks to the hard work and due diligence of the Town of Hempstead animal shelter staff, who properly investigated and reported this heinous crime, we are sending a strong message that animal cruelty and neglect will not be tolerated in the Town of Hempstead,” Gillen said in a statement. “This was an outstanding team effort that will hopefully lead to justice for Sheru and Maverick.”
Siddique is represented by the Legal Aid Society. Efforts to reach the Legal Aid Society were unavailing.
