LIC Man Charged With Blinding Tiny Pooch

Long Island Resident Luis Jimenez allegedly beat and blinded a chihuahua after fighting another man. Photo by Gabriela Vega.

By David Brand

A Long Island City man was indicted on multiple charges of animal cruelty for allegedly beating a chihuahua after fighting an acquaintance in December 2018.

Luis Jimenez, 26, allegedly beat the small dog, named Gigi, and left her blind in one eye, prosecutors said. He was indicted in Queens Supreme Court before Justice Barry Kron.

“The defendant allegedly whacked a small, defenseless animal that approached the man when he and a former friend got into a physical altercation,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. “The two-year-old pup suffered severe injuries to her face and right eye. This kind of alleged brutality against an eight-pound dog is both senseless and heartless. The defendant will be held accountable for allegedly inflicting immeasurable pain on this poor animal.”

Brown said Jimenez fought the the brother of Gigi’s owner and attacked the 8-pound pooch when it walked up to him after the fight. Surveillance video allegedly shows Jimenez hitting the dog in the head with a metal rod.

Gigi received treatment at a local ASPCA.

Jimenez is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide sustenance and aggravated cruelty to animals. Kron continued bail at $15,000 and ordered Jimenez to return to court on May 3.

If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.