Neighbor charged in sex abuse of dog
Friday, January 07, 2005
A Perth Amboy man has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty for sodomizing his neighbor's dog several times over the past year.
Jose Rodriguez, 39, who lives on State Street, was caught by Perth Amboy police with his pants down, straddling the dog last month after her owner, Maritza Rosario, called for help.
Rosario had obtained a court order in the city municipal court, barring Rodriguez from her property after she caught him sodomizing the 5-year-old female Rottweiler, named Precious, in her back yard.
On Dec. 19, police caught Rodriguez in Rosario's back yard, allegedly standing behind the dog with his pants down, authorities said. The officers called the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"They weren't sure what kind of charges to bring against Rodriguez because our state no longer has any laws making bestiality and sodomy illegal," said Stuart Rhodes, president of the NJSPCA.
Following an investigation, officers for the NJSPCA filed six complaints in municipal court against Rodriguez, who lived in an apartment near Rosario with his wife and two young children.
Rhodes said the dog was taken to an animal hospital on Dec. 21 and examined by a veterinarian who found the dog was in fact sodomized, resulting in swelling in the area and such severe pain the dog had trouble walking.
"This is an uncomfortable case for any law enforcement agency or any rational human being to deal with," Rhodes said. "As a result of our investigation, we found that despite efforts by the owner to resolve the issue, the abuse of this animal had been an ongoing problem. It is my hope that through efforts of the NJSPCA, this animal will never be subjected to this horrific abuse ever again."
Rhodes said the dog is back home with her owner, adding, "I hope she is keeping her inside." The charges against Rodriguez are disorderly persons offenses and he is not in custody. He will have to appear in municipal court later this month.
"If there is any case that may persuade the Legislature to revisit the issue of whether we need sodomy laws in this state, this is it," Rhodes said. "More disturbing is the fact that two small children reside with Mr. Rodriguez."
He said his agency has contacted the Division of Youth and Family Services to check into the condition of Rodriguez's children.
Friday, January 07, 2005
A Perth Amboy man has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty for sodomizing his neighbor's dog several times over the past year.
Jose Rodriguez, 39, who lives on State Street, was caught by Perth Amboy police with his pants down, straddling the dog last month after her owner, Maritza Rosario, called for help.
Rosario had obtained a court order in the city municipal court, barring Rodriguez from her property after she caught him sodomizing the 5-year-old female Rottweiler, named Precious, in her back yard.
On Dec. 19, police caught Rodriguez in Rosario's back yard, allegedly standing behind the dog with his pants down, authorities said. The officers called the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"They weren't sure what kind of charges to bring against Rodriguez because our state no longer has any laws making bestiality and sodomy illegal," said Stuart Rhodes, president of the NJSPCA.
Following an investigation, officers for the NJSPCA filed six complaints in municipal court against Rodriguez, who lived in an apartment near Rosario with his wife and two young children.
Rhodes said the dog was taken to an animal hospital on Dec. 21 and examined by a veterinarian who found the dog was in fact sodomized, resulting in swelling in the area and such severe pain the dog had trouble walking.
"This is an uncomfortable case for any law enforcement agency or any rational human being to deal with," Rhodes said. "As a result of our investigation, we found that despite efforts by the owner to resolve the issue, the abuse of this animal had been an ongoing problem. It is my hope that through efforts of the NJSPCA, this animal will never be subjected to this horrific abuse ever again."
Rhodes said the dog is back home with her owner, adding, "I hope she is keeping her inside." The charges against Rodriguez are disorderly persons offenses and he is not in custody. He will have to appear in municipal court later this month.
"If there is any case that may persuade the Legislature to revisit the issue of whether we need sodomy laws in this state, this is it," Rhodes said. "More disturbing is the fact that two small children reside with Mr. Rodriguez."
He said his agency has contacted the Division of Youth and Family Services to check into the condition of Rodriguez's children.
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