A malnourished dog, among several others, was rescued from a Bronx apartment, thanks to a concerned neighbor who reported the situation. The neighbor had been alarmed after witnessing the owner being brutal with the dogs on video.
The owner, 27-year-old Higgee L. Mercer Wally, faced charges related to animal cruelty on August 4th, following alarming reports of abuse in his apartment complex.
Complaints had been coming in for nearly a week, with residents expressing concerns about nine puppies, starting from July 29th.
Another urgent complaint prompted officers to respond shortly after midnight on August 4th. They swiftly apprehended Mercer Wally just before 2 AM, according to police.
Investigators confirmed allegations of abuse through videos recorded by neighbors. One video reportedly showed Mercer Wally “grabbing the dog by the throat and hitting it.”
In another clip, a man was seen “slamming the dog onto the ground, then repeatedly hitting it while it cried.”
All nine dogs, described as being in a state of malnutrition and poor living conditions, were taken to a nearby animal control facility.
Officials at the animal control center confirmed that the abused dog was subsequently moved to the ASPCA, although specific conditions at that time were not disclosed.
The NYPD commended officers Joseph J. Mercedes and Al Hassan Baisalif from District 48 for their “quick action,” which they believe was crucial in rescuing the nine neglected dogs from unsafe surroundings.
