Revere man pleads guilty to animal cruelty charges after tying dog to steel rod on beach
BOSTON, March 22, 2023 – A Revere man pleaded guilty today to one count of animal cruelty by custodian and one count of dog tethering/confining violation for abandoning and tying his dog to a pole on a Revere beach below the high-water mark, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
Judge Jane Prince sentenced ELIAS PACHECO-OSARIO, 29, to one year in jail, suspended for two years with the conditions that he pay restitution, complete the Benchmark Animal Rehabilitative Curriculum (BARC) program, and not own any animals.
On August 29, 2021 at approximately 12:15 pm, members from Revere and State police responded to Short Beach in Revere. Upon arrival, officers located a brown Pit Bull mix chained to a metal pole located near the shoreline. The dog had a thick metal chain around his neck with a heavy boulder attached to prevent the dog from escaping. The secluded section of the beach is usually submerged at high tide, meaning the dog would have likely drowned had it not been rescued.
A witness on scene stated he observed a male, later identified as Pacheco-Osario chain the dog to the pole 40 minutes prior to police arrival. Video surveillance shows Pacheco-Osario walk down the beach ramp with the dog and does not come back up. Video also shows a metal chain collar and leash attached to the dog are consistent with the collar and chain attached to the dog on scene.
“Many of us may have pets for different reasons; the main reason is the joy they bring to our lives. If someone can no longer care for their pet, there are ways to rehome them, such as bringing them to an adoption center. This man made a cruel and irresponsible choice and he’s being held accountable for it,” Hayden said
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications