Court documents circulating in the wake of last week’s Daily News article, and subsequent Channel 7 report, may go a long way in shedding new light on the actual events that lead to the arrest of a 23yr Bay Ridge pet groomer on charges of animal cruelty, last summer.
Probably more shocking than the initial reports of the injuries to the 5yr old Burmese [many of which have since been discounted, or factually clarified by court docs] has been the onslaught of rumor, allegation and violence laden outrage at the accused, and the 4th avenue animal retailer for which he worked.

A formal deposition taken by ASPCA special agent Patrick Breen, August 20th 2007, of owner Igor Kisil offers the first official account of Nusha’s injuries which lead to Beshir’s arrest.

The criminal complaint stating -

Deponent [Agent Breen] is informed by Ilona Kisil that informant [Kisil] is the owner of an approximately 5 year old cat and that at the above time and place [FFnF] informant left the above mentioned cat in the care of defendant [Bechire Bejaoui] for a period of approximately 4 hours for the purposes of grooming the cat was healthy and uninjured at that time.

Agent Breen goes on to state he was informed by Kisil that when he regained possession of the cat, Kisil

“observed blood on the cat’s face and swelling of the cat’s tongue.”

According to the deposition, Dr. Roy Appel [the veterinarian Kisil brought Nusha to for treatment] states…

“the night of the occurence and that upon examination informant [Dr, Appel] found that the cat sustained bruising to the chin cuts above to lip, puncture wounds on upper service of tongue, welling to tongue, bloody urin, contusion to chest, liver injury and muscle damage associated with trauma.

Without an impartial clincial diagnosis, Appel and Kisil’s depositions were apparently enough for the Brooklyn ADA to pursue charges and issue a warrant for arrest.

Which, almost a full six months later, also proved worthy the attention of local media who, acting on the arrest and peripheral allegations of abuse, have inspired a tsunami of xenophobia in the open-market of public opinion – most notably on DailyNews.com where a downpour of violent backlash has saturated the blogosphere, where the accused’s guilt was already confirmed, his status as a potential ‘serial killer’ noted – turning public sentiment into a kangaroo court of public opinion.

Comments include:

‘why don’t we all put this scumbag in a huge clear plastic bag and beat the **** out of him and them [sic] ship him back home in the same plastic bag’

‘what kind of name is Bechir Bejaoui? If my cat was handed to me in a plastic bag covered in blood I would have beaten the sh– out of that SOB and claimed temporary insanity. Our pets are just the same as our children. If some adult hit my kid I’d kick their A S S too. One year in prison is not enough for this monster.’

‘another foreigner that came into our land with their own laws. We got to send these people, send them back to where they came from, especially when they commit crimes. ‘

‘Poor animal’s so vulnerable to lunatics, there has to be psych evaluation’s performed on those who want to work w/animal’s [sic], even then, a few will slip through the cracks. I am hoping that animal rights activists fight harder to protect animal’s and their rights. If this incident happened to my animal, there is no telling what I would have done to this vet tech., [sic] I hope this person rots in jail.’


While some do indeed liken our pets to our children, something not atypical of animal lovers and any number of eccentrics who expresses their affections through odd choices in pet apparel and accessories (which can be a form of animal abuse in its own rite) - those in the industry of pet pampering say no matter the relationship the owner may have to the animal – the injured animal is an all too common occupational hazard, the resolution of which hinges on a ‘customer is always right’ attitude.

Fins Furs ‘n’ Feathers has since stood by their groomer, and responded to the charges filed with the ADA and allegations spwaned from media accounts by disavowing the incident in its entirety- with a written statement to customers posted outside their 4th avenue store, saying:

“Fins, Furs and Feathers would like to take this time to disclose to all of you that this establishment is being falsely accused of alleged abuse towards a cat named Nusha. It is an unfortunate event that did not transpire, and in due time our establishment will be vindicated. We feel the need to be open and forth coming about the matter should any of you have any questions. For those of you that know us, we will continue to care, love and serve you as we have before.”

While it remains unclear what the pivot point was that turned a bad day at the groomers into an arresting development…

Those familiar with the investigation are saying Dr. Roy Appel’s deposition testimony, which was key in Beshire’s arrest, and comments referring to Nusha’s injuries as ‘worst case of animal abuse he’s seen in 30 years,’ will be of definite interest.

Dr. Appel, the vet who ultimately triaged Nusha and deposed by Agents of the ASPCA was, prior to Nusha’s incident, contracted by Fins Furs and Feathers for their in-house veterinary needs – but has long since been replaced with another veterinarian.

a blogged week:

Right in Bay Ridge: Why we love the Ridge, Neugrad turns 20, Radioactive Building collapse
Bay Ridge Blog: Rally to Save the Green Church
Sunset Park Blog: Chinese New Year Celebrations, Foster Parents needed
Gowanus Lounge: MCarren Pool renderings and analysis. Atlantic Ave Jail Proposal, Toll Brothers in Gowanus
White in Bay Ridge: What is Love? Don’t go changin’ me, Defend Bay Ridge, Loves livin’ in the city
Gotham City Insider: ’08 according to Rite Aid, NY’s 6 million dollar annoying man
Left in Bay Ridge: Gang Graffiti in Bay Ridge