Staten Island woman, 69, throws ammonia at neighbor's dog because it 'barks too much,' police allege

NEW YORK -- A 69-year-old woman blinded her neighbor's dog with ammonia, then yelled, "That'll keep him off the fence!" during a bizarre incident in New Springville, according to police and the dog's owner.

The dog, a 5-year-old, 53-and-a-half pound English bulldog named Rocky, survived the attack, but has developed ulcers on both eyes, says owners Tina and Frank Latino.

The woman, 69-year-old Irene Helale, faces felony animal cruelty charges.

 

The Latinos say Ms. Helale often provokes Rocky through the fence that separates their house, and he responds by barking and jumping at the fence.

On Sunday, at about 2 p.m., Latino said, Rocky was swimming in the family's pool - "He loves to swim. He swims and swims and swims," Latino said. That's when Ms. Helale took that provocation to a new level, clanging pots and pans together to get the pooch's attention, he said.

Rocky stayed in the pool, but when Ms. Helale went into her house and came back out with a one-gallon bottle of liquid in her hand, the dog took notice, he said.

She started pouring it on the deck, banging the bottle against the fence, and when Rocky came over to investigate, she launched the liquid -- ammonia, it turned out -- through the slats of the fence and into his face and mouth, he said.

 

"Rocky backed off real quick. His eye was closed immediately. He flicked his tongue like it was a bad taste in his mouth," Latino said.

The Latinos said they called police, then rushed Rocky to an ASPCA hospital in Brooklyn. They were told to head to the organization's Upper East Side headquarters, where Rocky was treated.

The criminal court complaint against Ms. Helale details Rocky's injuries, as per a diagnosis by the ASPCA's Dr. Robert Reisman: "Ulcers in both his right and left eye, irritation in both of his eyes, possible permanent eye sight loss, and pain."

The complaint also details what Ms. Helale is accused of telling police: "The dog barks too much. I put the ammonia on the floor to get the dog away."

Rocky is staying with the Latinos' daughter in Huguenot. It's not clear if he'll regain his eyesight.
"He cried all night last night. He was up all night crying," Latino said

Tina Latino, 51, who works as a school secretary for the city Department of Education, called the alleged attack premeditated.

"It was deliberately done. She said, 'That'll keep him off the fence,'" Mrs. Latino recounted.
Added Latino, 55, who works as a dental assistant, "This grown woman, she could be old enough to be your grandma. I'm still in shock."

Ms. Helale refused to comment after her arraignment in Stapleton Criminal Court on Tuesday, and a man who accompanied her out called the incident, "None of your business" when approached by a reporter.

Judge Raymond Rodriguez ordered her released on her own recognizance until her next court date on Sept. 17. She can return home, the judge said, but an order of protection said that she cannot contact Latino, and must stay away from the dog.

In addition to aggravated cruelty to animals, she also faces a charge of torturing and injuring animals, according to information from District Attorney Daniel Donovan's office. If convicted on the top count, she could face two years in prison.

The Latinos said they had gone out of their way to be friendly to Ms. Helale, helping her and her husband with snow shoveling.

"We don't have a hatred for her. We never did," Latino said. "It's sad that she has such hatred for us."
Added his wife, "When I think about what happened to the dog, I get angry, but I feel sorry for her."
(SILive - June 17, 2014)