Retired State Trooper found not guilty in dog shooting
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: March 20, 2012
The Retired State Trooper is found not guilty on both counts of intentionally killing the German Shepard "Shadow."
On August 24th, Bernard Sperfeld said the Former State Trooper, Anthony Randazzo show and killed his dog intentionally because of an altercation he had with a woman named Kimberly Celecki.
Randazzo was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony, along with a charge that includes "over-driving, torturing, and injuring animals," which is a misdemeanor.
Throughout the past several months, this case has gotten attention from many animal activists in the Central New York area.
"It's a crying shame, Shadow was a beautiful dog, and we are here to stand up for all dogs," said a protestor outside Oneida County Court Monday morning.
But, the verdict was not one the animal lovers, and Bernard Sperfeld had expected or hoped for.
"There's no justice. There's no justice. If it was me, I would have been sitting in jail right after the shooting," said Bernard Sperfeld, Shadow's owner.
For Anthony Randazzo, he says he had no choice but to shoot Shadow the night of August 24th.
"I knew I was under attack, and I feel horrible that I had to react the way I did," said Randazzo.
Throughout the trial, several witnesses were called to the stand by Special Prosecutor, Christopher Pelli.
One of those witnesses included Kimberly Celecki.
Celecki was the woman who Sperfeld said he had an altercation with the night before Shadow was shot and killed.
But Celecki says she didn't remember it as an altercation.
Mr. Pelli says Randazzo was not telling the truck in his statement to the police.
"He didn't tell the police officer about Ms. Celecki being in the car crying hysterically. He lied in the statement when he said he went to the Greenbelt for a walk. It's complete fiction," said Pelli.
Randazzo's attorney, Les Lewis says the dog came charging at his client and it corresponds to Mr. Randazzo's testimony.
Mr. Randazzo says owners of dogs should know to keep their dogs under control so they don't have to be put in jeopardy.
"I was sad for Mr. Sperfeld on day one because I knew what a loss a companion Shepard could be," said Randazzo.
But for Bernard Sperfeld, it's something he can never forget.
"There's no closure. There never will be closure," he said.
On August 24th, Bernard Sperfeld said the Former State Trooper, Anthony Randazzo show and killed his dog intentionally because of an altercation he had with a woman named Kimberly Celecki.
Randazzo was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony, along with a charge that includes "over-driving, torturing, and injuring animals," which is a misdemeanor.
Throughout the past several months, this case has gotten attention from many animal activists in the Central New York area.
"It's a crying shame, Shadow was a beautiful dog, and we are here to stand up for all dogs," said a protestor outside Oneida County Court Monday morning.
But, the verdict was not one the animal lovers, and Bernard Sperfeld had expected or hoped for.
"There's no justice. There's no justice. If it was me, I would have been sitting in jail right after the shooting," said Bernard Sperfeld, Shadow's owner.
For Anthony Randazzo, he says he had no choice but to shoot Shadow the night of August 24th.
"I knew I was under attack, and I feel horrible that I had to react the way I did," said Randazzo.
Throughout the trial, several witnesses were called to the stand by Special Prosecutor, Christopher Pelli.
One of those witnesses included Kimberly Celecki.
Celecki was the woman who Sperfeld said he had an altercation with the night before Shadow was shot and killed.
But Celecki says she didn't remember it as an altercation.
Mr. Pelli says Randazzo was not telling the truck in his statement to the police.
"He didn't tell the police officer about Ms. Celecki being in the car crying hysterically. He lied in the statement when he said he went to the Greenbelt for a walk. It's complete fiction," said Pelli.
Randazzo's attorney, Les Lewis says the dog came charging at his client and it corresponds to Mr. Randazzo's testimony.
Mr. Randazzo says owners of dogs should know to keep their dogs under control so they don't have to be put in jeopardy.
"I was sad for Mr. Sperfeld on day one because I knew what a loss a companion Shepard could be," said Randazzo.
But for Bernard Sperfeld, it's something he can never forget.
"There's no closure. There never will be closure," he said.
