Queens Court Dismisses Animal-Cruelty Charges Against Former Rikers Island Officer

The Queens County Supreme Court has dismissed all felony animal-cruelty charges against Brandon Pearce, a former New York City Department of Correction officer, following the emergence of new evidence that contradicted the initial allegations. The case, which stemmed from the 2022 death of Pearce’s ex-girlfriend’s 12-year-old Maltese, Princess, saw significant developments that led to the dismissal of the charges against him.

Key to the court’s decision were witness statements, veterinary records, and an expert affidavit that collectively cast doubt on the original narrative. A witness statement from Omar Velasquez, a former partner of the complainant, revealed that the complainant had privately admitted the surveillance footage showed someone other than Pearce was responsible for the dog’s injuries. Veterinary records from V.E.T.S. New Hyde Park initially noted no visible external wounds, but a subsequent entry referencing trauma was added after a follow-up by detectives, raising questions about the consistency of the medical findings.

An affidavit by surveillance expert John Layne further supported Pearce’s defense, stating that building surveillance cameras were fully operational and recorded continuously, not motion-activated as previously claimed. Despite this, approximately four and a half hours of footage during the critical time frame were missing without explanation.

The case timeline began on the night of February 24, 2022, when Princess was reportedly injured. Pearce attempted to bring the dog to a veterinary clinic twice but was directed not to by the dog’s owner. Charges were filed in early March 2022, but as the case progressed, new evidence undermined the original accusations. By June 2025, the felony counts were withdrawn, and Pearce pleaded to a single misdemeanor for failing to seek veterinary care promptly, without admitting to causing harm.

This case highlights the importance of thorough investigation and the potential for initial allegations to be misleading. The dismissal of the charges against Pearce underscores the need for a justice system that carefully evaluates all evidence before reaching a conclusion.

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