Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 47-year-old James Craddock of Buffalo has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller on an indictment charging him with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, Menacing in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. 

It is alleged that on September 23, 2017, around eight in the morning at Mineral Springs and Frank Avenue in Buffalo, the defendant confronted a Buffalo woman and her dog, Audi, and after a brief exchange, Craddock is accused of pulling out a large knife and stabbing the dog. 

According to the indictment, the defendant then advanced on the victim, but fled when he realized other people were approaching. 

Craddock, who was a seasonal worker for Buffalo parks, took off in a City of Buffalo truck and was eventually apprehended by Buffalo police officers. Craddock was immediately terminated from the position. 

Audi was taken to South Town Animal Hospital where she was treated for a deep stab wound and blood loss. 

The defendant pleaded not guilty and bail remains at $7,500.  If convicted of all the charges, Craddock faces a maximum of seven years in prison. 

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Buffalo Police Department Officers Erica Nowak, Dennis Kessler, Ray Harrington and Detective Sergeant John McGrath, as well as SPCA Officer Amy Jaworski. 

Assistant District Attorneys Timothy J. Garvin and Meredith M. Mohun of the DA’s Animal Cruelty Unit are prosecuting the case. 

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.