Village of Valley Stream employee neglected dog, DA says

Posted

James Rosenbaum, a 30-year-old Valley Stream resident who works in the village’s maintenance department, was charged with overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance on Sept. 24 after his dog was found starving.

According to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, a woman saw a dirty, thin dog that was walking on Cedar Street in Valley Stream on Aug. 12. The woman captured the dog and brought him to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, where officials identified the dog as a 1-year-old Terrier mix.

The dog, since named Cedar, weighed 23 pounds when he was found. Cedar also had bald patches, overgrown nails and leg deformities.

The Nassau County District Attorney’s office then conducted an investigation and confirmed that Rosenbaum owned the dog. He was arrested on Sept. 24.

“The defendant allegedly starved his dog to the point where he was 20 pounds underweight,” Singas said in a statement. “Studies have repeatedly shown that animal cruelty is a gateway crime to further violence, and we are committed to aggressively prosecuting these cases to better protect the animals and the people of Nassau County.”

Bail was set at $750 bond or $500 cash. Rosenbaum, who is being represented by the Legal Aid Society, is due back in court on Sept. 26. If convicted, Rosenbaum could face one year in prison.