MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a father and daughter from Glen Head were convicted at trial on Thursday of neglecting a handicapped dog leading to open and infected wounds, emaciation and other severe injuries.
Christine Bagwell, 31, was convicted by a jury of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance (an A misdemeanor); while her father, Gregory Bagwell, 71, was convicted of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance (an A misdemeanor) before Judge Paul Meli. Gregory Bagwell was convicted in a bench trial, Christine Bagwell was convicted by jury. The trial lasted approximately one month, and the jury deliberated for less than half an hour.
The defendants are due back in court for sentence on April 24.
“Instead of providing the care that Kacii needed, these defendants left her to suffer,” DA Singas said. “The successful prosecution of animal crimes goes beyond protecting our four-legged friends. Studies have shown a strong correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence, and my office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting these cases to better protect our community.”
Gary Rogers, President of the Nassau County SPCA said, “We want to thank the Nassau County District Attorney for how seriously she takes animal crimes. With rehabilitation, Kacii is now once again whole and up for adoption.”
DA Singas said in June 2018, the defendants took their five-year-old female Pitbull-mix dog, Kacii, home from a veterinarian after she had broken her back following a car accident. The veterinarian staff explained to the defendants that Kacii was now a special needs dog, which required around the clock care, and the defendants agreed to follow instructions on how to properly care for her.
However, over the next five months, the defendants neglected Kacii. On November 1, 2018, she was found by a good Samaritan dragging herself on the pavement outside of the defendants’ home. The good Samaritan called the Nassau County SPCA, who later responded and found the dog with open bloody wounds. Following an investigation, the defendants were arrested by NCSPCA Detectives on December 29, 2018.
A veterinary examination revealed she was emaciated, suffering from infected sores, a urinary tract infection, fever, diarrhea, overgrown nails and had caked excrement all over her body.
After being placed in foster care, Kacii recovered from her injuries and is now up for adoption. If you’re interested in adopting her, please call 516-THE-SPCA.
Before and after video of Kacii can be found here.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jamie Mattera and Allison Stapleton of DA Singas’ Animal Crimes Unit. Timothy Aldridge, Esq., represents Gregory Bagwell and Alan Smilowitz, Esq. represents Christine Bagwell.
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