Update, 10/29: Radoslaw Czerkawski, 32, from Poland, was arraigned just after noon in Quincy District Court on 11 counts of animal cruelty and a charge of misleading police. He pleaded not guilty and is being held on $500,000 bail.
Update, 4:25 p.m.: A Polish man named Radoslaw Czerkawski was arrested last Wednesday in New Britain, Connecticut, for misleading a police investigation. Further investigating by police found him to be a suspect linked to the “Puppy Doe” case. Czerkawski, who “did not fight rendition,” is currently being transported to Quincy where he will be arraigned at the district court tomorrow morning on 11 charges related to animal abuse. The charges carry a prison sentence of up to five years.
Another press conference by police will be held tomorrow after the arraignment, along with members of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
The Quincy Police Department is holding a press briefing at 4 p.m. Monday to report on the latest developments in the case of “Puppy Doe,” the 1-year-old female pitbull found beaten, starved and abandoned in a Quincy park at the end of August.
A “person of interest” may have been found in connection with the case, reports the Patriot Ledger, though Quincy Police Captain John Dougan said in a phone interview with BostInno that the person of interest had misled investigations early on. Dougan said Monday morning that they were “getting close” to finding the suspect.
Veterinary exams revealed that the pup showed signs of long term abuse. She was burned and starved and suffered from horrific injuries including a stab wound to her eye, a split tongue, a dislocated shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle. She was so badly injured that veterinarians could not save her and were forced to put her down.
A vigil held for the dog in Quincy in late September brought together 250 people and some of their dogs in sorrowful remembrance of the young animal, according to the Globe. The case has brought attention to animal cruelty and sparked social media groups aimed at finding “Justice for Puppy Doe,” as well as proposed legislation in the form of State Senator Bruce Tarr’s PAWS Act, aimed at promoting animal welfare and prosperity in Massachusetts.
Check back here for updates following the press conference.
