NEW YORK -- A blood-soaked Upper East Side man was found dead on his kitchen floor yesterday with bite marks on his body and a slash on his head -- and cops charged his pit-bull-owning roommate with murder.
Authorities believe the dog, named Bones, may have mauled the victim’s body after he was killed, allegedly by suspect Shaun Dyer, a source said.
The gruesome discovery was made at around noon by a city marshal who had arrived at the five-story walkup on East 62nd Street to evict the men, both 46.
Neighbors heard them fighting earlier, sources told The Post, although it’s unclear if the dispute was triggered by their imminent eviction for not paying rent.
“It’s been six or seven months,’’ said the building’s super, who wasn’t sure of the exact amount owed.
The victim’s name was withheld pending family notification.
Dyer, who has a record of some 20 arrests for crimes that include assault and possession of stolen property, was immediately hauled off by cops for questioning. Murder and weapons charges were filed about 12 hours later.
The powerfully built white dog was left tied in front of the building for hours, with dried blood on his face and snout.
Animal Control officers removed him, without any problems, at 5 p.m.
The dead man suffered bites to his arm and leg. Dyer too, had signs of trauma on his body.
“The dog should have been off the street years ago,” railed neighbor Bruce Miller, 65, claiming that Bones bit him on June 17.
“I walked out my door and the dog attacked me. [The owner] was watching him chew on my arm, and he was laughing.”
Miller said he filed a complaint with the city but nothing was done.
The neighbor alleged he had a run-in with Bones in 2009 as well.
Another resident, Cito Estavez, 74, said, “One day a couple of years ago, I told [Dyer] he can’t walk the dog without a leash. But he told me, ‘You don’t know s--t.’ ”
Sam Strahl, 39, who said he was a friend of Dyer’s, claimed he, too, was attacked by Bones.
“It attacked me in February,” he said. “I came in to say ‘hi’ and the dog bit me in the leg three times. I had to . . . get surgery.”
Others, who asked not to be identified, said the owner abused his animal -- turning a once-tame pet into a snarling beast.
“I knew him when he was a good-natured and good dog,” said one man. “I took him for a walk once. The dog takes on the personality of the owner.
“If the dog is mistreated, he’s going to mistreat others.”
The man said he hoped Bones’ life would be spared -- and that the blame would not be laid at the pooch’s paws.
Postal worker Rafael Reveron, 42, said he didn’t think the animal would have been capable of such horrific violence.
“I’ve worked in the area for five years,” Reveron said. “I’ve seen the dog three to four times a week.
“The dog does not seem aggressive -- it doesn’t even bark.”
Neighbors said Dyer and his younger brother had lived at the address for years. But when the brother moved out a couple of months ago, the dog owner took on a new roommate.
The cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office. Sources said the bite marks on the victim’s body -- and the cut on his head -- may indicate that a fight between the men caused the dog to jump into the fray.
(NY Post - Oct 14, 2011)
