On December 9, 2024, Elijah Lewis (9/10/1999), a resident of the City of Schenectady, pled guilty to one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a class E felony and a violation of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law Section 353-A. The guilty plea resolved a five-count indictment against him which also charged him with a count of felony Criminal Mischief and three counts of misdemeanor Endangering the Welfare of a Child offenses.
Mr. Lewis will receive the maximum sentence allowed by law for the crime of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, which is two (2) years local jail. Because Aggravated Cruelty to Animals is a class E felony contained within the Agriculture and Markets Law, it carries a unique sentencing range that does not allow for state prison as a sentence. Mr. Lewis will be required to abide by full orders of protection for the dog owner and her family. In addition, Mr. Lewis will be required to not own or possess any pets for a period of one hundred (100) years. Lastly, Mr. Lewis will be responsible for restitution to pay for the cost of the animal hospitals life saving efforts for the dog. Mr. Lewis is scheduled to be sentenced in Schenectady County Court by Schenectady County Court Judge Matthew J. Sypniewski on February 3, 2025.
Mr. Lewis pled guilty to beating a four [4] month old dog, an approximately five and one-half (5 ½) pound, Chihuahua mix puppy named Spot, so violently and severely that the puppy needed to be euthanized. Mr. Lewis pummeled Spot on October 5, 2024, at an address in the City of Schenectady. The attack occurred in front of the puppy’s owner, who was a former intimate partner of Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis’ apparent motivation for the attack was due to ongoing jealously and relationship issues he had with the owner of Spot. Schenectady Police responded to the scene after a call to 911 from a resident of the house who overheard the attack. At the scene, Schenectady Patrol Officers determined that Spot was grievously injured and rushed the puppy to the Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital, located at 222 Troy-Schenectady Road, in Latham, New York. Spot was brought to that veterinary hospital based an agreement between the veterinary hospital and the City of Schenectady, in which the hospital treats animals who need emergency medical intervention related to ongoing Schenectady animal cruelty investigations. Veterinarians and staff at the animal hospital determined that Spot’s head, chest, and lung injuries, were so devastating that further treatment was futile and that the only humane medical course was to euthanize Spot. Schenectady Police then sent Spot’s body to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, where a necropsy [animal autopsy] was conducted which determined that Spot’s injuries were due to blunt force trauma, causing a traumatic brain injury, that was ultimately so severe that non-accidental death occurred. Mr. Lewis was immediately identified as the assailant at the scene, but he had fled from the area prior to police arrival. That same day, October 5, 2024, after Schenectady Police developed a lead as to where Mr. Lewis might be found and Schenectady Police located him and arrested him for this incident.
District Attorney Robert M. Carney stated, “Mr. Lewis deserves a maximum sentence for beating this little dog to death out of spite directed at its owner, a woman with whom he had been in a relationship. A man capable of such wanton cruelty is dangerous to anyone. Although their efforts on behalf of Spot proved fruitless, I thank the first responders and veterinarians that tried to save his life, as well as the experts at Cornell that provided the evidence necessary to bring this case.”
Special Victim Bureau Chief John J. Carson, who also oversees animal cruelty prosecution for the District Attorney’s Office handled the case. Mr. Lewis was represented by attorney Steven X. Kouray, of the of the Schenectady County Public Defender’s Office. Schenectady County Court Judge Matthew J. Sypniewski presided.