This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

A New York City man is facing multiple charges for allegedly killing a service dog he was supposed to be watching for a relative and burning his body. Demand maximum penalties in this case!
 

According to the Queens County District Attorney's Office, in July of 2025, an NYPD Lieutenant discovered the burned remains of a dog on the street in South Ozone Park. The NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad was notified, and an investigation was launched.

Surveillance footage showed a man later identified as Isaiah Gurley picking up a bottle of oil at a deli and leaving without paying early in the morning. Minutes later, he was seen dragging an unconscious dog's body and setting it on fire, using the oil as an accelerant.

An image of Gurley that was released to the public led to his arrest.

An exam conducted by the ASPCA found the dog, a pit bull named Square K, was killed before being burned, and that he had suffered a blunt force trauma injury to his head.

On September 30, according to the Queens DA, Isaiah Gurley was indicted for the following crimes:

• Aggravated cruelty to animals — Class E felony. Maximum 4 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
• Arson in the fifth degree — Class A misdemeanor. Maximum 1 year in jail.
• Harming a service animal in the second degree — Class A misdemeanor. Maximum 1 year in jail, with possible restitution and fines.
• Criminal mischief in the second degree — Class D felony. Maximum 2⅓ to 7 years in prison.
• Criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree — Class D felony. Maximum 2⅓ to 7 years in prison.
• Reckless endangerment in the second degree — Class A misdemeanor. Maximum 1 year in jail.
• Petit larceny — Class A misdemeanor. Maximum 1 year in jail.

District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that her office will “aggressively prosecute those who beat and torture defenseless animals.”

If every count received the statutory maximum and the judge ordered all terms to run consecutively, the theoretical maximum would be:

• Prison/Jail:
  • Class D felonies (2 counts): up to 7 years + 7 years = 14 years
  • Class E felony (1 count): up to 4 years
  • Class A misdemeanors (4 counts): up to 1 year × 4 = 4 years
  • Total consecutive max = 22 years

• Fines:
  • Aggravated cruelty to animals (E felony): up to $5,000
  • (Other counts can carry fines, but the only stated maximum fine is $5,000.)

What the numbers mean:

Each charge has its own maximum sentence. In theory, a judge could “stack” those sentences one after another, which would add up to many years. In New York, judges usually run sentences at the same time, not one after another, when the crimes come from the same incident. That is why the realistic “top exposure” comes from the most serious felony. In this case, the top range is 2⅓ to 7 years.

Our position:

At the very least, the court should impose the full 7 years. We also urge the court to order a long ban on contact with animals, restitution to the guardian, and mandatory mental examination and counseling.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Violent Dog Killer Must Receive Maximum Sentencing

Thank you for prosecuting Isaiah Gurley for killing his relative’s beloved service dog, Square K. This was a deliberate act of violence against a defenseless animal companion, and it endangers people and other animals in our community.

I understand New York sentencing. If every count were run one after another, the statutory maximums could add up to more than two decades. In practice, when charges come from a single incident, sentences usually run at the same time, which makes the realistic top exposure 2⅓ to 7 years on the leading felony.

At the very least, please seek the full 7-year sentence. I also ask you to request fines as permitted by law, a lengthy ban on contact with animals, restitution to the guardian, and mandatory counseling and evaluation. These conditions protect the public and help prevent future violence.

Please present this letter to the presiding judge at sentencing. I will follow this case to its conclusion and continue to urge the strongest lawful outcome.

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.