Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Webster puppy owner, Naheem Schuler, charged with animal cruelty

MASSACHUSETTS -- A local man pleaded not guilty to an allegation of leaving his puppy covered in feces in a small crate under the scorching heat.

Naheem J. Schuler, 42, of 41 Negus St., third-floor apartment, was ordered held on $1,000 bail last week in Dudley District Court on a charge of animal cruelty, after police arrested him on a warrant. Mr. Schuler is to return to court Sept. 15.

On July 28, Animal Control Officer Michelle LaFleche contacted Police Officer Aaron A. Suss about a possible case of animal neglect, the police report said.

A witness had said a dog on the second-floor porch at 41 Negus St. had been screaming. The witness went on to say Mr. Schuler picked up the puppy and threw it across the porch, according to police.

That day the weather was about 90 degrees and humid. The witness feared that the dog may have died and called Officer LaFleche, the report said.

Officer Lafleche and Assistant Animal Control Officer Jose Herrera went to the building and could tell that the dog was in a crate under direct sunlight, police said.

The officers climbed a ladder and saw the small brown puppy in the crate, covered in feces. The animal appeared lethargic and sick and was thin and emaciated, with the outline of its ribs visible against its skin, the report said. There was no food or water in the crate.

The control officers took the puppy to the Animal Hospital of Webster.

A veterinarian said the dog was covered in fresh and dried waste, was emaciated and dehydrated and had hyperflexion on its front wrists from prolonged confinement, the report said.

All four of the dog’s feet were red, inflamed and infected between the toes from prolonged standing in excrement, authorities said.

Later, Officer LaFleche received a call from Mr. Schuler, who denied abusing or neglecting his dog.

(Worcester Telegram - ‎Aug 25, 2015‎)

Naheem Schuler's published criminal history:
April 2008 - Naheem Schuler, 34, of 147 Country Club Blvd., Worcester, charged with two counts of assault and battery and two counts of intimidation of a witness, sentenced to four concurrent terms of two and a half years in the House of Correction, with 18 months to be served, balance suspended for two years, ordered to remain drug- and alcohol-free, to undergo drug and alcohol evaluations with treatment and counseling as recommended by the Probation Department, to submit to random drug tests, to attend a batterer's program, and no contact with the victim or the victim's children; vandalizing property, sentenced to a concurrent term of six months in the House of Correction; and disturbing the peace, sentenced to a concurrent term of three months in the House of Correction. - Telegram.com

Jan 2009 - Naheem Schuler, 36, of 611 Chandler St., Worcester, charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), and threatening to commit a crime (to murder), nol prossed. A nol pros, or nolle prosequi, is a court filing reflecting a prosecutor's decision not to proceed with a criminal case after charges have been brought. - Telegram.com

Jan 20, 2011 - Naheem Schuler, 37, of 82 Courtland St., Worcester, charged with assault and battery, continued to March 3. - Telegram.com

Sep 19, 2011 - Naheem Schuler, 38, 153 Country Club Blvd. Apt. 515, Worcester, charged with vandalizing property; breaking and entering into a building in the nighttime (felony); larceny from a building, held on $5,000 cash bail or $50,000 surety, continued to Oct. 3. - Telegram.com

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