The Queens County Supreme Court has dismissed all animal-cruelty charges against Brandon Pearce, a former New York City Department of Correction officer, following the emergence of new evidence that contradicted the initial allegations. The case, which stemmed from the 2022 death of Pearce's ex-girlfriend's 12-year-old Maltese, Princess, saw felony charges withdrawn after witness statements, veterinary records, and an expert affidavit cast significant doubt on the original narrative.
Key to the dismissal was a witness statement from Omar Velasquez, a former partner of the complainant, who testified that the complainant admitted surveillance footage showed someone other than Pearce was responsible for the dog's injuries. Additionally, veterinary records from V.E.T.S. New Hyde Park initially noted no visible external wounds, with a subsequent entry referencing trauma added only after detective follow-up, raising questions about the consistency of the medical findings.
An affidavit by surveillance expert John Layne further bolstered Pearce's defense, stating that building surveillance cameras were operational and recorded continuously, not motion-activated as previously claimed. Despite this, approximately four and a half hours of footage during the critical time frame were missing without explanation.
The case timeline reveals that Pearce attempted to bring the dog to a veterinary clinic twice on the night of February 24, 2022, but was turned back by the dog's owner. Charges were filed in early March 2022, but as new evidence emerged, including inconsistencies in veterinary documentation and missing surveillance footage, the case against Pearce weakened. By June 2025, the felony counts were withdrawn, and Pearce pleaded to a single misdemeanor for failing to seek veterinary care promptly, with no admission of causing harm.
Pearce, who maintained his innocence throughout, expressed relief at the dismissal, stating it allowed him to move forward and rebuild his life. The case, which initially drew significant media attention, underscores the importance of thorough evidence review in legal proceedings.
