Suffolk Reporter

Amy Willi, a 45-year-old resident of Mastic, has pleaded guilty to Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree following an incident where her dog, Kojo, mauled a two-year-old boy and attacked the child's uncle. The announcement was made by Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.

"The defendant’s dog’s dangerous tendencies coupled with her failure to properly secure the animal led to an innocent child and his uncle sustaining serious injuries," stated District Attorney Tierney. He emphasized the responsibilities of pet owners in ensuring their animals do not pose a threat to others.

Court documents reveal that on March 14, 2023, Willi opened her front door while a toddler was playing across the street. Kojo escaped through the open door and attacked the child. The toddler's uncle intervened but was bitten on his left forearm, causing him to drop the child. Kojo then bit the boy multiple times on his face, head, and leg.

Family members managed to stop the attack and rushed the injured child to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment.

Willi admitted knowing that Kojo had violent tendencies. As part of her plea deal before Acting County Court Judge F. Scott Carrigan, she agreed not to own or care for any animals for three years.

She is scheduled for sentencing on November 20, 2024, and is represented by Gregory Kalmar, Esq. Assistant District Attorney Adriana Noyola from the Biological Environmental Animal Safety Team (BEAST) is prosecuting the case with support from Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad.