Bulls Rescued from Riverhead Home of Man Who Killed Dog

A Riverhead man admitted killing a German Shepherd days before animal advocates rescued three bulls that were found hidden near his property where he has been accused of operating an unlicensed slaughterhouse.

Carlos Lauro pleaded guilty on January 18 at Riverhead Town Justice Court to a misdemeanor charge of unjustified killing of an animal and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle from a separate case. Riverhead Town Justice Lori M. Hulse sentenced Lauro to one year in jail. The 76-year-old man was also banned from owning animals for 20 years and all of his surviving animals were surrendered — with some winding up in an animal sanctuary.

“This kind of cruelty will not be tolerated,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Lauro was arrested January 11 after a dog he shot was taken to a veterinarian, who reported the incident to authorities. Riverhead Town Police officers responded to Lauro’s home, where they found more dead animals and later executed a search warrant with prosecutors. Riverhead officials have said that Lauro is also facing multiple town code violations for alleged illegal animal sales, attempts to operate an illegal slaughterhouse, dilapidated and illegal structures, loose farm animals and general property maintenance.

Eight dogs, goats, pigs, cows and chickens found alive on the property were allegedly neglected, living in deplorable conditions without access to clean food and water, authorities added. The nonprofit Humane Long Island said that the three bulls were found hidden in a field adjacent to Lauro’s property were taken to an animal sanctuary in Montague, New Jersey, where they were named Steve, Artie and Robert. Ten freezing piglets were found nearby. Advocates said there were signs that there was an attempt to steal the bulls.

“From being slated for slaughter to being hidden from authorities and then nearly heisted, the harrowing adventure of these three sweet bulls … finds a happy ending at Tamerlaine Sanctuary & Preserve, a 336-acre vegan sanctuary where they will be loved and never eaten,” said John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and executive director of Humane Long Island, who rescued nearly 100 other animals, including piglets, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, a sheep and a bunny from the property.

Lauro was represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, which could not be reached for comment.