LI man charged in death of dog whose ears were cut off in basement: DA

WEST ISLIP, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- A Long Island man faces animal cruelty charges after he allegedly cut off his dog's ears in the basement of his home, prosecutors said Friday.

David Iglesias, 34, of West Islip, was indicted Friday on a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, as well as misdemeanor charges of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, and clipping/cutting ears of dogs, according to the Suffolk County D.A.'s Office.

He's accused of cutting off the ears of his 13-year-old female dog, Niva, causing injuries that led to her death.

The charges stem from November 2022, when Niva was attacked by Iglesias' other dog, the D.A.'s office said.

Niva suffered severe injuries in the attack, so Iglesias allegedly took her down to his basement, cut her injured ears off and tried to glue the wounds closed.

According to prosecutors, Niva wasn't brought to a veterinarian until Dec. 2, 2022, and by that time she was in septic shock and near death. She had to be euthanized.

A postmodern examination found Niva had suffered extensive injuries, including "repetitive puncture wounds especially on her limbs, a mostly missing right ear, and a large wound where her left ear once was," prosecutors said.

Iglesias was released without bail on his own recognizance but was ordered not to own or possess any animals as the case plays out. He's due back in court Aug. 1.