Sign: Brazen Lowlife Arrested After Duct-Taping Dog’s Face and Legs

Published: August 29, 2025 at 09:44 PM Author: Penny Eims

Queens, New York – On the night of August 23, a disturbing animal cruelty incident shocked a woman at the Gwen Ifill Park in Springfield Gardens. A man identified as Kristopher Fyffe was observed wrapping black duct tape around the face and legs of a dog that was not resisting in any way.

In a news release, District Attorney Katz said, “As alleged in the complaint, this defendant gratuitously inflicted harm on a defenseless dog by wrapping the animal’s nose, eyes, and legs in duct tape.”

The abuse was thwarted by the good Samaritan, who confronted the man who allegedly flashed a knife at her when she approached him, demanding that he stop hurting the dog. Video of the abuse was posted to social media, and provided to the authorities, and the man was arrested shortly thereafter.

A day after the incident, police found him in a van with five dogs inside: the news release states:

When Fyffe was stopped, police officers allegedly saw that the van contained five kennels, each with a pit bull inside. The kennels were allegedly covered in feces and urine; there was urine in the water bowls, and no clean water or food.

A forensic veterinarian with the ASPCA reviewed videos and photos of the dog seen with the tape on its body and said such restraints would have caused the animal pain and suffering, specifically pressure on his tissues, occlusion of blood flow and further pain and discomfort from the removal of the tape.

A defenseless dog’s eyes, mouth, and legs were covered in duct tape by Kristopher Fyffe, and four other dogs in his custody were found to be malnourished and stowed in urine and feces. We demand that Fyffe be held fully accountable for this criminal act in the court of law. Please add your name to our petition as we fight for justice! Fyffe must face the maximum sentence for the following charges: overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals/failure to provide sustenance; two counts of menacing in the second degree; five counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animal; two counts of harassment in the second degree; and registration of motor vehicles/fees/renewals.

Representative Image via Pixabay

Facts at a Glance

• Date of Incident: August 23, 2025

• Location: Gwen Ifill Park, Springfield Gardens, Queens, NY

• Victim: A defenseless dog whose nose, eyes, and legs were bound with duct tape

• Conditions: Dog restrained and suffering; an additional five pit bulls were later found malnourished in kennels contaminated with urine and feces

• Outcome: Abuse stopped by a good Samaritan; suspect arrested; ASPCA forensic veterinarian confirmed the dog experienced pain, restricted blood flow, and suffering

• Defendant: Kristopher Fyffe, Queens, NY

• Charges: Overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals/failure to provide sustenance; two counts of menacing (2nd degree); five counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animal; two counts of harassment (2nd degree); motor vehicle registration violations

https://t.co/9BueYc1E2s#Queens#DogLovers… pic.twitter.com/h3rcKphwB3

— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) August 25, 2025

Target: Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Assistant District Attorney Zoë Marks, of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS: 

We, the undersigned, demand that Kristopher Fyffe be held accountable for brazenly duct-taping a dog’s face and legs at a public park and neglecting four others. It is our collective demand that Fyffe face the maximum sentence for the charges stemming from this incident, and that he be permanently banned from owning animals. Laws must recognize the actual seriousness of animal abuse and ensure that those who commit these cruel acts are held fully accountable.

Research has consistently shown a strong link between animal cruelty and human violence. Individuals who commit such heinous acts against animals often pose a threat to society as a whole, as animal abuse is frequently a precursor to other violent crimes. Failing to hold this man accountable not only denies justice to the innocent dog subjected to blatant abuse but also endangers the community at large. We must send a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

Note: Four of the dogs are with Animal Care Centers of New York. The dog who was duct-taped is with the ASPCA facilities in Manhattan. The case is not eligible for bail under New York state law. The DA’s office requested supervised release, which was granted by Queens Criminal Court Judge Lana Schlesinger, who ordered Fyffe to return to court on November 13. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison.

News

Queens District Attorney Press Release

Update 9/21/2025: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA and Judge. 

Update 9/2/2025: Defendant: Kristopher Fyffe, Case #: CR-031181-25-QN, Prosecuting Attorney: ADA Zoe Marks, Email: zmmarks@queensda.org Address: 12602 Queen’s Boulevard, Kew Gardens, 82nd Avenue, Queens, NY 11415. The hearing has been scheduled for November 13, 2025. Under New York State law, the case is not eligible for bail. The District Attorney’s office requested supervised release, which was granted by Queens Criminal Court Judge Lana Schlesinger, who ordered Fyffe to return to court on November 13. If convicted, Fyffe faces up to two years in prison.