NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Queens man has been indicted after prosecutors alleged he locked up seven dogs, including six puppies, inside a Harlem apartment, then set the unit on fire, killing two of the animals.
Wattie Folk, 53, is facing one seven counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals in the horrific June 24, 2022, blaze, the Manhattan district attorney's office said Tuesday.
According to court documents and statements, before the fire, Folk was staying at his friend’s apartment in Harlem. They got into an argument, which turned physical. His friend fled the apartment and called the police.
Folk allegedly started a fire inside the bedroom of the apartment around 1:40 p.m. He then fled the apartment, leaving one 3-year-old adult pit bull and six 5.5-month-old puppies inside.
Prosecutors said the five other dogs needed immediate medical assistance, including oxygen in an ambulance while being transferred to the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. They were dehydrated, coughing, and covered in soot. All of the dogs had been exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide.
The five dogs were transported to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Hospital after receiving intensive medical care for several weeks.
The victim's apartment and belongings were destroyed in the fire, prosecutors said.
Related
Related
Related
