BOSTON – An East Boston man accused of abusing his dog appeared in court Thursday on a dozen animal cruelty charges.
Armani Doshi, 27, is accused of abusing his one-year-old German shepherd Savannah, who was rescued Thursday morning after she was found in a closet, reportedly without food or water.
“We have multiple witnesses. He’s dragging this dog, strangling him by the neck and everything, and this has been going on for a long time,” said Lt. Borgal of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
Videos of alleged abuse
Investigators say Doshi lifted the dog by her collar to the point where she could no longer walk. Multiple witnesses at his East Boston apartment complex captured video of the alleged abuse.
“The defendant is observed pushing the dog’s head and body to the ground in a rough and cruel manner, and he is also seen in that video lying on top of the dog, preventing the dog from getting up,” prosecutor Amelia Singh said.
Boston Animal Rescue League
Doshi pleaded not guilty but had several outbursts during his arraignment Thursday. He told the judge he wants to represent himself and tried to plead to get out of jail.
“I’m going to lose my car, your honor,” Doshi told the judge. “They’re going to refund my car if I don’t make my car payments.”
‘I live alone, Reverend. If you can put me on a GPS, I will accept it,” Doshi continued, before the judge told him she was not negotiating with him.
The suspect will be held for 60 days
The judge is concerned that he poses a danger to the public, especially his neighbors, who reported him. Judge Debra Delvecchio ordered Doshi held on $100 bail and revoked his bail for 60 days due to an ongoing case in Chelsea District Court in which he threatened a judge.
Investigators say they are relieved Savannah is safe. “There’s a lot of knowledge about what these laws are and I don’t know why this would continue,” Lt. Borgal said. “We were very concerned about the dog and we were happy to confiscate it today.”
Doshi will return to court on January 16 for a hearing.
Kristina Rex
