Summary: A corporate attorney in Manhattan who beat his girlfriend’s dog to death claims he did do because he was the only Jewish student at his boarding school growing up.
A Manhattan corporate attorney was convicted of animal cruelty for killing his girlfriend’s poodle. Anthony Pastor continually beat his lover’s dog until she eventually died.
Pastor’s defense attorney Gerald Lefcourt tried to claim that his client was tormented at the boarding school he attended as a child because he was the only Jewish student. The experience forever “messed him up.” Lefcourt said, “All that has happened has been a tremendous punishment.”
The dog, Snoopy, was hit so many times that she eventually became unconscious and later died. Lefcourt is hoping their explanation for Pastor’s actions will be enough to get him very little to no prison time. Lefcourt said, “I ask the court for leniency. It’s a crucial time in his life, he has the opportunity to restore his relationship with his son.”
Justice Robert Mandelbaum, however, did not find the explanation as acceptable. He gave Pastor the maximum two-year sentence in Manhattan’s Supreme Court. Mandelbaum stated, “He has demonstrated a side of himself to those with whom he is close that conceals from them another extremely dangerous side, which he clearly possesses.” He went on to call Pastor a “terrible father, because in committing this act he has permanently and irrevocably damaged his son’s life.”
A jury member added, “I feel terrible for Mr. Pastor’s son, but I also feel terrible for Snoopy, and I feel terrible for Miss Russell’s children who loved her and lost her.”
Pastor’s 45-year-old girlfriend Taly Russell testified during the case that she woke up at his apartment on August 4, 2016, to find her dog’s lifeless body on the floor of the living room with a trail of feces behind her. An autopsy on the dog revealed the poodle had nine broken ribs, massive internal bleeding, and a pulverized kidney. Mandelbaum stated that the excessive injury to the pooch “showed almost incomprehensible violence and malice.”
The judge explained that Snoopy was in “excruciating pain” until she lost consciousness. Pastor then “sat down at his computer in the most cold-blooded manner and went to work knowing that the dog lay dying on the floor behind him.”
Mandelbaum ordered protective custody for Pastor who has been in jail since his conviction on May 9. Pastor has apparently received numerous death threats. He must also register on the animal abuse registry.
The trial lasted one horrifying week. During that week, his ex-fiance also testified, claiming that her dog Molly also died in a similar manner to Snoopy. Molly died in 2013 but Pastor was never charged with her death. The landlord of the Upper West Side brownstone where Pastor lived when both dogs died testified that she saw Pastor beating Molly in the building’s vestibule.
Russell noted in a statement, “None of this brings back Snoopy, our family dog, but hopefully, Snoopy’s untimely death can prevent others.”
Assistant District Attorney Tanisha Palvia called the crime “unconscionable,” justifying a maximum sentence.
Pastor hired two other lawyers to fight his case in addition to Felcourt.
Do you think Pastor needs some psychological help or is he just a cruel animal abuser? Tell us in the comments below.
To learn more about animal cruelty cases, read these articles:
- VIDEO: Animal Cruelty in Chinese Circus as Bear Mauls Monkey
- Man Blows Up Dog but Won’t be Charged for Animal Cruelty
- Piercing Kittens for ‘Goth’ Look Is Animal Cruelty, says Pa. Appeals Court
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