SPCA Westchester announced today that their Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE), under the direction of Ernest Lungaro and Elmsford Detective Paul Rescigno and Detective Robert Caralyus, in a joint investigation and with the assistance of the Westchester District Attorney’s Office, arrested Veterinarian Javier Diaz, DMV, 46, the owner of Main Street Animal Hospital. Dr. Diaz was charged with Forgery 2nd degree, Six counts of animal cruelty and assault 3rd degree.
The investigation of Main Street Animal Hospital located at 33 E. Main Street, Elmsford, NY revealed that between April 09, 2022 and April 27, 2022 Diaz gave a certificate of a rabies vaccination and charged a pet owner without actually administering the NYS required vaccination. He also physically abused pets that were brought into the Main Street Animal Hospital on six occasions. A two-month-old kitten was hit on the head with a nail clipper designed to cut dog’s nails and then jammed the nail clipper into the cat’s mouth causing the kitten to suffer unjustifiably and to sustain a laceration to its gum and palate. A Shiba Inu dog was punched in the ribs. A Labrador Retriever had his front paw twisted and a nail clipper jabbed in his ribs causing the dog to cry out in pain. The dog was then kicked in the ribs. Diaz, while treating a three-legged senior German Shepherd dog, kicked the dog in the chest and then twisted and pulled the dog’s ear that was being treated for an ear infection so hard that the dog screamed incessantly. He then kicked the dog a second time in its jaw causing the dog to jerk its head backwards striking a veterinary assistant that was holding the dog in place. The veterinary assistant suffered a bloody nose and suffered unjustifiable physical pain to her head and neck. A chihuahua dog was in a dog crate crying when Diaz punched the dog to make it stop crying. A Shih Tzu dog was choked causing the dog to almost lose consciousness which caused the dog to suffer unjustifiable pain and suffering.
Diaz will be arraigned in Elmsford Village Court,15 S Stone Ave, Elmsford, NY today at 2 pm.
“We are absolutely sickened by the abuse these animals suffered at the hands of Javier Diaz, DVM. Veterinarians take an oath to protect animal health and welfare not to cause pain and misery,” said Shannon Laukhuf, SPCA Westchester’s Executive Director. “If you suspect your pet was harmed in Diaz’s care, please call the SPCA’s 24-hour animal cruelty hotline at (914) 941-7797.”
SPCA Westchester is a no-kill Animal Rescue Center located in Briarcliff Manor and is NOT affiliated with the ASPCA or any national animal welfare organizations. Learn more at Spcawestchester.org.
