Kisha Curtis, Patrick The Pit Bull's Abuser, Gets No Jail Time

Kisha_Curtis2

What a sad state of affairs, when a person cruelly starves a pet and doesn’t spend a day in jail. The animal welfare crowd has a lot of work ahead of them.

Kenn, Max & Remy

Patrick the pit bull, the famed miracle dog of New Jersey, finally had his day in court. Unfortunately, his abuser merely received a slap on the wrist.

Kisha Curtis, 29, was charged with two counts of tormenting and torturing a living creature by failing to provide sustenance and two counts of abandonment. The emaciated puppy had been dropped 19 stories down a trash chute in March of 2011.

Emaciated_Patrick

The pit bull (later named Patrick for St. Patrick’s Day, when he had been rescued) was nearly dead when a worker found him barely moving in a trash bag in the dumpster. Patrick wasn’t expected to live through the night, but showed tenacity with a will to live and made a slow but miraculous recovery that has been cataloged over the last two-and-a-half years.

In spite of the photo evidence, Kisha Curtis repeatedly denied starving or abusing the dog. She said she had only had the dog for two days before realizing she would be unable to care for him. She left the dog, that she hadn’t yet named, in the hallway for the security guard to handle. She claims the dog was doing well when she leashed it to a stairwell doorknob in her hallway. She then reportedly left town. She said she was upset after seeing the news photos of the sick, emaciated dog days later. She claims she is not the one who discarded the dog in the trash.

Patrick_emaciated

Patrick was unable to stand and weighed only 20 pounds, about 30 pounds underweight. His story gained international attention and supporters including financial donations and even a pledge for a new animal shelter called “Patrick’s Place.”

Meanwhile, Curtis initially rejected a plea offer that the prosecutor offered which would have called for up to 18 months in prison, a $5,000 fine and 30 days community service. Curtis and her lawyer countered by asking for a pretrial intervention, a program for first-time offenders that offers alternatives to prosecution. Defendants who are admitted to and complete the intervention program receive early resolution of their case and convictions will be expunged from their record. The courts rejected this offer.

On July 30, 2013, Curtis finally plead guilty to fourth-degree animal cruelty and gave up all rights to Patrick. Her sentencing was anticipated to be light due to the fact that she was a first-time offender.

Patrick_flowers

On August 7, 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed “Patrick’s Law,” (S1303) into effect. The new law states that failure to prove an animal with food or water would be a fourth-degree crime instead of a disorderly person’s offense. If the dog dies as a result of the mistreatment, it would be upped to a third degree crime. A first time abuser punishment fines increased from $1,000 to $3,000. A second offense could land an abuser in jail for a year with fines up to $5,000.

In spite of this law and the international outcry, Curtis was sentenced to just 18 months of probation and a $2,000 fine for restitution to the New Jersey American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Patricia Scavelli, who has been caring for Patrick, has been awarded full custody.

Patrick_healed

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mak
mak
10 years ago

the so called justice system has really dropped the ball on this one…shame on you ms curtis. you knew better, you did it anyway, and then rather than admit your blatant cruelty, you lied about it. i hope you realize that what you give out into the universe comes back to you…you’ve got a lot to answer for and i hope you get everything you deserve…

Lori Dennis
Lori Dennis
10 years ago

Sad justice for Patrick. And the fines are laughable! If this was a human, people would go to jail for years!! A dog (animal) is a living being and has the same feelings as a human does (except they really can’t express it that well) and they get off with a slap on the wrist? What a shame 🙁 But so happy Patrick lived!

Carol Fay Turner Dalton
Carol Fay Turner Dalton
10 years ago

That is BULLSHIT!! Should have went to jail an they shouldn’t have feed her!

mommadwo
mommadwo
10 years ago

They should starve her and throw her down the garbage shoot. She will ultimately face her maker and receive her just punishment! POS…she will get hers sooner or later! She will rot in hell!

Cristina
Cristina
10 years ago

This is Disgusting, A slap on the Wrist, Really? I would have locked her up and thrown away the key… If she did this to that beautiful boy, what else is she capable of? God bless Patrick, and everyone who helped..

RottieDad
RottieDad
10 years ago

She’ll burn in hell.

Lymbo
Lymbo
10 years ago

Hope they post her face all over so others know what kind of person she is.

typo: should say provide not prove.
“The new law states that failure to prove an animal with food or water would be a fourth-degree crime instead of a disorderly person’s offense.”

Mandy Bailey
Mandy Bailey
10 years ago

Liar Liar Liar ! You will get your comeuppance and you had better pray to God you never meet any of the people who have followed your story you do not deserve to have any animals in your possession! I can only hope one day something nasty befalls you. New Jersey laws better smarten up there are more of these Curtis scum walking the streets

leeanne ivie
leeanne ivie
10 years ago

what a horrible failed justice system shame on them how sad that our animals have no right and can be just treated like garbage and abused by whoever with very little consequences to suffer unlike what this poor innocent baby had to go through we need better laws that protect the innocent and punish disgusting plaques on the earth like this ugly horrific woman i truly believe that whoever gave her such a light sentence should be liable for her further crimes towards animals and children because belive me she hasn’t learned a lesson .

Christina Lee
Christina Lee
10 years ago

Not to worry…Karma is a bitch and it will come back to bite he in the A$$ big time!

cult_of_skaro
cult_of_skaro
10 years ago

You evil bitch. And your hair looks stupid, too.

JM
JM
10 years ago

Feed that pink haired %_n %#@&* to the hogs !!! I hear they will devour bone and all !!!
UNBELIEVEABLE !!!

Terri M. Wehrman
Terri M. Wehrman
10 years ago

If she does this to an innocent puppy, what would she do to a child?

deeper1
deeper1
10 years ago

This poor creature; what he endured is torture, the punishment should fit the crime. I am glad he has recovered, and found that most humans are kind, and can love.

debbie baab
debbie baab
10 years ago

There are no words! On another note, I’m so glad to see how well Patrick looks under the great care of a good and decent person who went above and beyond for Patrick’s sake! You ROCK Patricia Scavelli!!!

Rich Prestia
Rich Prestia
10 years ago

Look at this piece of shit crackhead whore bitch!!
Rot in hell you piece of welfare ghetto trash!!
You should die in a Newark alleyway of an overdose!!!
Our justice system sucks balls!!
She deserves a baseball bat across the head…..I’d LOVE to be the one to administer that!!

Animal Lover
Animal Lover
10 years ago

Who was the judge presiding over this case? Was there any ruling that she would never be allowed an animal again? A crying shame for all humans

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