LANCASTER, PA — A Lancaster city woman has pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and simple assault. The charges stem from a brutal attack on a neighbor and the subsequent killing of the victim’s pet dog.
Loyna Dejesus-Osorio, 53, of the 100 block of Dorwart Street, faced court on Monday over the incident that occurred on Sept. 25, 2022, in the 100 block of Old Dorwart Street. A sentencing date will be set by Lancaster County Judge Jeffrey Wright following a presentence investigation.
The victim testified at the preliminary hearing that she and her five-month-old Chihuahua puppy, Tinkerbell, were attacked by Dejesus-Osorio while walking down Campbell Ave. behind her home. In a disturbing sequence of events, Dejesus-Osorio grabbed the victim by her hair, dragged her across a parking lot, and continued to attack her until a witness intervened.
Adding to the horror, Dejesus-Osorio stepped on the puppy’s neck during the assault, causing fatal injuries. The dog was dead on arrival at the emergency veterinarian office, suffering from apparent spinal/head trauma. A medical report revealed the extent of the injuries, including a fractured orbital bone, an air bubble within the skull, a collapsed oropharynx, and at least two recently fractured left metatarsal bones.
According to a criminal complaint, Dejesus-Osorio taunted the victim during the attack, warning her not to enter her “territory” and stating that the assault was a consequence of the victim’s previous remarks.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jaimes Spring, with charges filed by Lancaster City Bureau of Police Officer Jason Windlebleck. The shocking incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for community vigilance and the importance of reporting any instances of violence or animal cruelty.
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