Providence Man Found Guilty of Killing Chihuahua Puppy and Domestic Violence

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Luis Laboy, age 44, of 134 Willow Street, Providence, was found guilty by a jury of malicious killing of a dog and assault and several domestic violence charges. The jury returned the verdict in approximately two hours after a four day trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel.

During the course of the trial, the state proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Luis Laboy killed his ex-girlfriend's three month old puppy Chihuahua, named Blacky. On September 23, 2012, the victim went to the apartment of her ex boyfriend to pick up some personal items she had left behind. Upon entering the apartment, she discovered the dead puppy. At that time, Laboy grabbed the victim by the arm and pushed her away and the grabbed and smashed her cell phone. The victim fled the apartment with the defendant chasing after her holding the dead puppy in his hand, throwing it at her as she ran down the stairwell. Once outside, the victim ran to her car as the defendant continued to chase her and throw threw the puppy at her as she drove away.

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Laboy was arrested by and charged by Providence Police with malicious killing of a dog, domestic simple assault, domestic malicious damage to property and domestic refusal to relinquish phone. He was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals performed a necropsy on the puppy and determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the skull.

While out on bail, Laboy harassed the victim and her new boyfriend by calling and sending threatening text messages. He was arrested by the Pawtucket Police and charged with cybertsalking and crank/obscene phone calls and violation of a no contact order. Those cases are pending.

A date for sentencing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. The defendant remains out on bail pending sentencing.

"Animal abuse cases are handled by the team of specialized prosecutors in our Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, as the malicious treatment and killing of animals is an element we often see with domestic violence abusers," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "The nature of this crime and the senseless violence against a weaker person or animal is deplorable and will continue to be prosecuted aggressively by this Office.

Providence Police Detectives Matthew Cute, Doug Allin and Clarence Gough led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General Kim Ahern prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.

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