Nicolino Camardi, Calgary Man Who Tortured, Killed Dog And Cat Sentenced

CANADA -- A Calgary man who abused, starved and killed a dog and cat has been sentenced to 22 months in jail.

Nicolino Camardi

Nicolino Camardi, who is 19, is also banned for life from owning animals.

He has been in custody since he was arrested last May and is being given 16 months of credit for time served.

So basically he will be a free man in six months...

Camardi pleaded guilty in December to willfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal.

The Calgary Humane Society began an investigation in January 2014 after a dog was found dead with tape around its muzzle and a dead cat was discovered with tape covering most of its face.

The humane society says the sentence reflects the serious nature of the offences.

 

An examination at a veterinarian's office determined the dog had suffered chronic malnourishment before its death.

The cat had been strangled and had injuries to its head, tail and hind limbs.

(Huffington Post Canada - March 27, 2015)

Earlier:

• Dead dog, cat found muzzled in southeast Calgary alley
• Accused animal torturer's girlfriend told police he spoke of killing humans, sought protection order  
• Release sought for accused in animal cruelty cases
• ‘Horrific’ Case Of Animal Torture And Starvation

‘Horrific’ Case Of Animal Torture And Starvation

CANADA -- A man charged with horrific animal abuse crimes has recently pleaded guilty in the torture and deaths of a cat and a dog.

The suspect, identified as Nicolino Camardi of Calgary, Alberta, is accused of starving a dog and then “hanging” a cat with a piece of string. Global News shared this December 12, 2014.

This latest update on the story discusses Camardi’s actions and why prosecutors are looking for a serious criminal sentence in this heated case.

Nicolino Ivano Camardi

Nicolino Camardi, of Calgary, was recently charged in a disturbing set of abuse allegations against a dog and a cat. Last Friday, Camardi pleaded guilty to two separate animal cruelty charges, both of which involved the victims’ torture to the point of death. These senseless killings led to not only serious public backlash, but serious aims from prosecutors hoping to land the suspect in extended prison time.

The Calgary Humane Society began investigating January 9, when a starved dog was found dead with tape around its muzzle. A dead cat was found in the same area a week later with green painter’s tape covering most of its face.

An examination at a veterinarian’s office determined the dog suffered chronic malnourishment before its death. The cat had been strangled and had injuries to its head, tail and hind limbs. Crown prosecutor, Gord Haight, read an agreed statement of facts into the court record saying the animals were a two-year-old Husky named Shadow, and a six-month-old domestic short-haired kitten named One Tooth, and that both were severely malnourished.

The attacks on the animals often occurred when Camardi, who was addicted to crack cocaine, would get angry about issues such as house soiling or making noise. Haight said these incidents would trigger Camardi to commit horrific acts of abuse.

 

 

“Due to the lack of adequate and proper food, Shadow became progressively more malnourished, and toward the end of her life became increasingly weak and lethargic. A few days before Shadow died, the accused taped her muzzle shut with clear medical tape. Shadow was too weak from starvation to resist. Camardi also kicked and punched the cat. The accused, in an effort to stifle her cries of pain, applied painter’s tape all over her mouth and nose.”

The prosecution asked for a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric assessment of Camardi before sentencing, said Haight.

“The Crown will be seeking considerably more time than the seven months the accused has been in custody. Because of the abject horror of the crime, a psychiatric review is necessary.”

(Inquisitor - Dec 15, 2014)

Earlier:

• Dead dog, cat found muzzled in southeast Calgary alley
• Accused animal torturer's girlfriend told police he spoke of killing humans, sought protection order  
• Release sought for accused in animal cruelty cases

Release sought for accused in animal cruelty cases

CANADA -- The lawyer for a man accused of taping the muzzles of a cat and dog, then leaving them to die in an alley, said Wednesday he will argue for his client’s release next week.

Jack Kelly booked a bail hearing for next Tuesday for Nicolino Ivano Camardi, 19, as the accused appeared in provincial court via closed-circuit television from Calgary Remand Centre.

Camardi is charged with two counts of wilfully causing pain, suffering or injury to an animal after a Siberian husky and a domestic short-haired cat were found on separate occasions in January near his Willow Park home.

The dog died from starvation and the cat was strangled with a cord or a rope after it had been struck on its head.

Camardi faces potential jail time of up to five years if found guilty of the charges.

According to court documents, the young man had talked to his girlfriend about harming animals and people prior to the alleged incidents.

(Calgary Herald - Sept 3, 2014)

Earlier:

• Dead dog, cat found muzzled in southeast Calgary alley
• Accused animal torturer's girlfriend told police he spoke of killing humans, sought protection order

Accused animal torturer's girlfriend told police he spoke of killing humans, sought protection order

CANADA -- The girlfriend of the Calgary man charged in the torture killings of a cat and dog told police he spoke to her about killing humans, the Sun has learned.

The man also mentioned to her that he hears voices and she’s seen him speak to people that aren’t there, according to testimony given by a Calgary cop in support of an emergency protection order.

“She said that he has not only spoken about harming and hurting animals, and she’s seen him harm animals, but that he has spoken about harming humans,” Const. Aaron Squirrell testified on March 10, according to a court transcript of the hearing.

“She mentioned that he has also ... spoken to her about murder and killing humans,” Squirrell told justice of the peace Lily MacKay.

Squirrell also testified Nicolino Camardi, who currently faces two animal cruelty charges, told police that voices have been telling him to kill his girlfriend.

The officer’s testimony was in support of an application on the girlfriend’s behalf for an emergency protection order barring Camardi from contacting her.

MacKay granted the application, but the order was not extended when it was reviewed by a Court of Queen’s Bench judge on April 30.

Camardi, 19, faces four charges in connection with alleged incidents which occurred March 9, including the unlawful confinement of his girlfriend which triggered the protection order application.

At the time he was under investigation in connection with incidents on Jan. 9 and 16 in which a Siberian husky and domestic short hair cat were found tossed in a Willow Park alley, their muzzles taped shut.

The dog died of starvation and the cat was strangled after suffering blows to the head.

Camardi was charged May 5, in connection with the killings and is currently on a 30-day psychiatric remand to determine his fitness to stand trial.

In his evidence before MacKay, Squirrell testified Camardi “has a history of psychosis,” and of crack cocaine use.

“(The girlfriend) believes that he is still using crack cocaine behind her back,” he testified at the March 10 hearing.

“While (Camardi) was in police custody he made comments to the officer that he’s hearing voices and that the voices are telling him to kill her,” Squirrell said.

“And that he needs to kill her soon, and if he doesn’t kill her, she’ll kill him first.”

Camardi returns to provincial court from his assessment on June 6.

(Calgary Sun - May 14, 2014)

Earlier:

• Dead dog, cat found muzzled in southeast Calgary alley

Dead dog, cat found muzzled in southeast Calgary alley

UPDATE TO STORY: Accused animal torturer's girlfriend told police he (Nicolino Ivano Camardi) spoke of killing humans, sought protection order


CANADA -- A horrific case of animal abuse is being investigated, involving at least two pets.

The Calgary Humane Society was called in after a dog was found dead in the community of Willow Park. Officials say the emaciated Siberian Husky was discovered in an alley in the 200 block of 99 Ave. S.E. last week.

Its muzzle was taped shut with medical tape, which may have contributed to the death.

“This is a clear case of intentional animal cruelty which would have caused this animal significant suffering,” says Brad Nichols, manager of cruelty investigations at the Calgary Humane Society. “We hope someone is able to identify the dog so that we can ensure accountability for this cruel act and prevent future such acts.”

While Global News crews were in the alley on Thursday investigating the case, they came across another disturbing discovery: a dead cat, also with its mouth muzzled with what appeared to be green painters tape.

“We get calls for dead animals all the time, usually deer, so get to the scene and it had duct tape and was really skinny and looked like he’d been starved to death, that was bizarre,” says City of Calgary worker Virginia Heart. “None of us had seen that before and took it hard. And today I get another call and it’s the same darn thing, but a cat now.”

Anyone who recognizes the animals or has any information about the owner is asked to call the Calgary Humane Society Protection and Investigations department at 403-205-4455.

Local veterinary clinic Vets to Go is also offering $5,000 for information leading to a conviction in the case.

“Like many pet owners and animal lovers, we’re frustrated by watching these abuses cases end up with minor fines and rare jail sentences,” says Greg Habstritt, president of Vets to Go. “Someone who is vicious and troubled enough to do something like this will likely go on to commit more serious offences involving people.

(Global news - Jan 16, 2014)


Jan 20, 2014 Update:
Investigators confirm pets found dead in alley suffered traumatic injuries

A shocking development in a disturbing case of animal cruelty is confirming people’s worst fears: a dog and cat found dead in Willow Park did in fact suffer traumatic injuries.

Last week, an emaciated Husky was discovered dead in a southeast alley. Just days later, a cat whose mouth was muzzled with tape was also found in the same alley. While the cause of death is still not known, it’s clear it was not from natural causes.

“We’re talking healed and fresh fracture wounds, those types of things,” explains Brad Nichols, manager of cruelty investigations with the Calgary Humane Society. His team is now looking into all the tips that have been pouring in about the case.

“If this weren’t going anywhere we wouldn’t be doing anything and we’re still very much active,” Nichols says, adding they suspect whoever owned the animals is responsible.

“If this was somebody’s pet we would have heard from their distraught owner. But it’s tough to say. We haven’t zeroed in on one person, but it is progressing and I am hopeful we get further in the next couple of days.”