Defendant Found Guilty on 12 Counts of Animal Cruelty

Today, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) was overjoyed to hear that Radoslaw Czerkawski has been found guilty of 12 counts of animal cruelty. Sentencing will take place Tuesday, March 27 at 2 p.m. This verdict provides peace to Puppy Doe, and also serves as a light to move forward in continuing efforts to improve animal protection laws in Massachusetts; because such an atrocious act cannot be allowed to happen again.

ARL wants to thank the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, Quincy Police Department, and countless others who worked to find justice for Puppy Doe. The verdict is a victory, but the work is far from finished. ARL will continue to educate, investigate, assist law enforcement, and advocate in order to protect animals in Massachusetts from cruelty and abuse.

Background

On August 31, 2013, after Puppy Doe was found by Quincy Animal Control and rushed to the South Shore VCA for treatment. Due to the extreme nature of her injuries, she was humanly euthanized. Fortunately, the attending veterinarian, Dr. Duffy, recognized the trauma this animal had endured and reported it to ARL’s Director of Law Enforcement, Lt. Alan Borgal, who dispatched ARL Rescue Services to transport her to the organization’s Boston facility, where a necropsy was performed.

Subsequently, Quincy Police were notified and the necropsy findings sent to the offices of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Presented with the necropsy findings, which detailed an unprecedented level of abuse and torture, the Norfolk DA and the Quincy Police immediately began an investigation including appeals to the public for information related to the perpetrator of this horrific abuse.

During the investigation and the trial, ARL provided assistance to Quincy and Norfolk officials.

The amount of hours and manpower put into this single case of animal cruelty cannot be calculated and ARL commends everyone who fought to give Puppy Doe a voice.

Additionally, this case illustrates the importance of veterinarians and the public reporting animal abuse and neglect. We are all advocates for animals, and if an inhumane act is witnessed or even suspected, it’s imperative to contact local law enforcement immediately to remove the animal from the situation.