Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Oswald Hall, 61, of Newark pleaded guilty to one count of third degree animal cruelty.
Assistant Prosecutor Dawn D’Amico, who handled the case, said on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2012 Hall kicked the dog, Zoey, in the head while wearing boots. Zoey, a small Chihuahua, belongs to his girlfriend’s sister. Both the sister and the girlfriend where living with Hall at the time.
The kick caused the dog’s eye to pop out, resulting in the dog having the eye removed, according to Assistant Prosecutor D’Amico.
Hall had a prior case involving animal cruelty. On Sept. 22, 2011 he struck his girlfriend’s dog in the head causing head trauma to that dog. Following that prior incident, Hill entered a guilty plea to animal cruelty in municipal court.
“This is a very, very sad case of man who has a history of cruelty to animals. We hope he and others will get the message that this kind of criminal conduct carries significant penalties,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor D’Amico.
Hall, who is currently incarcerated, is expected to be sentenced to 364 days in prison for the injuries to the dog Zoey. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 6, before the Honorable Michelle Hollar-Gregory.
