Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Queens man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly killing and burning pit bull
By
Paige Oamek
Published Jul 30, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Beth Fertig / WNYC
By
Paige Oamek
Published Jul 30, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Police have arrested the man they say dragged a pit bull's lifeless body onto a public street in Queens and set it on fire last week.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Wednesday that 29-year-old Isaiah Gurley of Jamaica, Queens, was charged with animal cruelty, arson, petit larceny and reckless endangerment after allegedly killing the dog in South Ozone Park. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison.
Gurley told police in an interview that he had been dog sitting for several days.
“I killed the dog by kicking it to death,” Gurley said, according to court records. “And I burned the dog’s body after it was already dead.”
According to the DA, surveillance footage captured Gurley stealing a bottle of oil from a deli on Rockaway Boulevard at around 4:40 a.m. on July 24.
About five minutes later, Gurley was seen on video footage lugging the pit bull's body by a leash along 116th Avenue before dousing it with oil and setting it on fire, authorities said.
“Animals are not punching bags,” Katz said in a statement. “They have every right to proper care, just as humans do. The allegations in this case are heart-wrenching.”
Police released a surveillance photo of Gurley and he was apprehended after a neighbor spotted him at the Queens Center Mall on Monday.
Gurley’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
Tagged
animal abuse
public safety
queens
Paige Oamek
Paige Oamek is a reporter on Gothamist & WNYC's day-of general assignment desk.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .