Puppy Doe Memorial Bench is Dedicated in Quincy, MA

Hundreds of animal lovers attended the unveiling and dedication Saturday of a park bench placed as a memorial to Puppy Doe, the abuse victim found in the same park just over a year ago.

Puppy Doe, or Kiya, was brutally tortured and abused in a local home and then left lying on the ground near the Whitwell Street Playground in Quincy, Massachusetts in August 2013, and the pit bull pup’s injuries were so extensive and severe that she had to be euthanized. Puppy Doe’s suffering and death touched the hearts of people in Massachusetts, the US and beyond, and she inspired animal lovers to to pass legislation increasing penalties for animal abusers in Massachusetts.  Gov. Deval Patrick recently signed the bill increasing penalties for animal cruelty offenses into law.

Animal lovers and local officials also worked to raise funds to place the black polished granite bench in Puppy Doe’s memory in the Quincy park.

As The Patriot-Ledger reports, Ward 3 City Councilor Kevin Coughlin’s eyes watered up as he spoke at the dedication, telling how he still remembers the pain he felt when his own childhood dog disappeared. Coughlin praised the community’s efforts to pass the animal protection provisions into law in the aftermath of Puppy Doe’s death.

“Your voices have been heard on the steps of the courthouse and in the halls of the State House. … You have ensured that what happened here was not simply the end of a tragic story but the catalyst of a movement to force renewed attention and vigilance to animal abuse and cruelty,” Coughlin said.

The ceremony included a candlelight vigil, a poem reading, a blessing of the bench by the Rev. Robert Carr and a performance of Sarah McLachlan’s song “In the Arms of an Angel.”

Puppy Doe’s abuser, Radoslaw Czerkawsk, remains in jail, held without bail as his case continues to make its way through the court.

The Puppy Doe bench is dedicated in loving memory to the dog who was so cruelly deprived of happiness and life itself, and to the effort to combat animal abuse and abusers.

Puppy Doe’s Memorial Bench Fund  members and supporters played a key role in the project and were well represented at Saturday’s special event. (The link takes you to their Facebook page.)

Watch this video from the bench unveiling ceremony: