NEWARK - A 29-year-old woman charged with abusing Patrick, - the pit bull whose rescue from the bottom of a trash chute in Newark sparked an international outpouring of support and a Facebook page - has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty.
Today Kisha Curtis appeared in Superior Court in Newark before Judge Joseph Cassini III and pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty, a fourth-degree charge, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said.
Curtis, who now lives in Irvington, faces up to 18 months in prison. However, authorities said Curtis has no prior convictions and there is a presumption of non-incarceration for a first time offender.
She will appear before Cassini on Aug. 29 for sentencing.
During her plea, Curtis gave up all legal rights to Patrick, Murray said. The case had been scheduled to go to trial on Wednesday.
Assistant Prosecutor Margarita Rivera, who handled the case with Assistant Prosecutor David Feldman, said she was pleased with today's outcome.
"She (Curtis) has taken responsibility for abusing Patrick and we hope this result will serve as a deterrent to other people who think they can mistreat animals without any repercussions,'' Rivera said.
Curtis' public defender, Deirdre McMahon, could not be reached for comment.
Also on Aug. 29, Cassini will decide who gets custody of Patrick. Who gets Patrick is the subject of a legal dispute between the Associated Humane Societies, the City of Newark and the Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls.
Patrick currently resides with Patricia Smillie-Scavelli, hospital administrator at Garden State Veterinary Specialists where the pit bull was nursed back to health. When Patrick was first discovered, he was19 pounds but now weighs 51 pounds, Smillie-Scavelli said last week.
Curtis was arrested in March 2011 shortly after the emaciated 1-year-old pup was found in a plastic bag in a dumpster at the bottom of a garbage chute. She previously admitted abandoning the dog - leaving him on a leash tied to a stairwell doorknob in her hallway - but said she "never harmed him or tortured him in any way."
When Curtis first appeared in court in May 2011, Patrick fans from around the country gathered outside the courthouse to protest.
Patrick's story sparked outrage among animal activists but also led to an outpouring of donations from animal lovers from around the world. The Garden State Veterinary Specialists said they eventually stopped accepting donations due to the overwhelming response.
The Associated Humane Societies, which sent an animal control officer to the scene, tried to solicit donations to their shelter using Patrick's popularity.
Several other groups, including people on Facebook, jumped on the bandwagon began selling Patrick T-shirts and other novelty items. Patrick's story has also launched national anti-cruelty movements.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker also launched a fundraiser in the summer of 2011 to build a no-kill animal shelter that he dubbed "Patrick's Place," to the chagrin of the Associated Humane Societies, which is currently contracted with the city.
Booker's spokesman, James Allen, said plans are underway to break ground on the new shelter by this fall.
"Everything is on track and moving forward," he said via email.
The fundraising effort is still underway, Allen said, but was unable to say how much money had been raised.
RELATED COVERAGE
* Judge: Patrick the pit bull 'happy and healthy,' does not need inspection from animal welfare group
* Judge seals child welfare agency documents relating to woman charged in Patrick the pit bull case
* N.J. Senate committee approves 'Patrick's Law' bill upgrading animal cruelty penalties
