Puppy Abuse Trial Begins

In 2013, “Puppy Doe” was found in a park with fractures, a stab wound and a split tongue. The year-old female pit bull mix had been starved and tortured so badly she had to be euthanized. Radoslaw Czerkawski, a polish national living in Massachusetts, faces 11 animal abuse charges.

Czerkawski suggested kids in the park, who he had seen drinking, were responsible for the puppy’s condition. His trial was set for July but was rescheduled due to a prosecutor’s emergency eye surgery and Czerkawski’s own health problems. The case drew national attention and sparked talk of tougher penalties for animal abusers.

Animal rights advocates were expected to protest outside the court during the trial. This prompted the judge to restrict protestors from being closer than 500 feet of the court house as well as banning the wear of T-shirts, buttons or anything else that refers to the case in court.

Despite promising to rally, there were no advocators protesting on Tuesday. WCVB-TV is reporting, Deanna Terminiello, a member of a 900-member organization called Pawsitivley Puppy Doe, said the planned protest was called off because they didn’t want to cause any problems like a potential mistrial case.

Czerkawski is already serving prison time for two unrelated larceny convictions, including stealing money from an elderly woman he was caring for in Quincy.