'Torture' Charge For Animal Rescuer After Dog's Death: Court Docs

WEST ISLIP, NY — The director of a Long Island animal shelter is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty charges in connection with the death of a pit bull named Tali, according to court records viewed by Patch.

Diane Indelicato, 61, the director of Ruff House Rescue in West Islip, was arrested on March 17 and charged with "torturing/injuring and failure to provide sustenance," records say.

Records say that Indelicato "permitted unjustifiable suffering of an animal" between Oct. 30 and Nov. 6.

According to the documents, Ruff House volunteers repeatedly informed Indelicato of Tali's worsening medical condition, including severe dermatological distress such as fur loss, irritated skin and an inflamed abdomen. In addition, records say the gray and white dog suffered from large, ulcerated masses leaking blood and pus on her abdomen; swollen limbs; general physical deterioration; inability to eat or drink without help; and difficulty breathing despite shelter volunteers repeatedly requesting medical help for the dog.

On Nov. 6, Tali succumbed to her injuries and was found dead in her kennel, records show.

On March 31, Indelicato pled not guilty before Judge Alonzo G. Jacobs and is due back in court on May 8, court records say.

Indelicato is being represented by Jan Goldman, who was not immediately available for comment.

According to its website, Ruff House Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization "dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats from high-kill rural shelters."

The rescue states that its mission is to rescue homeless pets that suffer from abuse, neglect and indifference to create awareness of the epidemic of homeless pets and educate on the importance of spaying and neutering, ID tagging and training.