Long Island mom demands attempted murder charges for her dogs killed in an arson: ‘He's still walking free'
Ariana Belfort, 38, stood outside Nassau County Court Monday barking for justice for Jameson and Jack, her two dogs brutally murdered in an arson started by her downstairs neighbor, Jahan Kia.
Belfort was joined by friends, animal rights activists and state Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, with many adorning signs and t-shirts that read 'Justice for Jameson and Jack.'
Advertisement
6 Ariana Belfort, 38, stood outside Nassau County Court Monday barking for justice for Jameson and Jack.
Dennis A. Clark
The lawmaker not only backed Belfort's calls to add attempted murder and two animal cruelty charges to Kia's rap sheet, but announced he would be introducing a statewide bill that would make murdering animals a felony that could carry a life sentence.
'[Kia] shouldn't be in more trouble for destroying drywall than he is for killing a loved one,' Blumencranz, an Oyster Bay Republican, told The Post. 'Real human and animal lives have been destroyed.
Advertisement
6 Mugshot of Jahan Kia, arrested for arson.
Nassau County Police Dept
'Now we need to make sure we see justice for everyone involved.'
The Animal Justice Act would make murdering man's best friend, or any animal, a Class A felony that could bring with it 25 years to life in prison — legislation that Belfort, a mother of three, wholeheartedly supports.
6 Jameson and Jack fatally burned in a blaze allegedly set by Jahan Kia.
Dennis A. Clark
Advertisement
'If someone is capable of murdering an animal, they are certainly capable of murdering a human,' she said, adding that killing pets is how most serial killers start their murderous tendencies.
In May, Kia, 40, was arrested for allegedly setting the Plainview home — he lived in an illegal basement apartment — on fire killing Belfort's two dogs and at least one of his own cats.
The blaze took 100 firefighters from six departments to get under control. Kia was charged with arson, criminal mischief and just one count of animal cruelty — despite allegedly killing three animals.
6 The Animal Justice Act would make murdering man's best friend, or any animal, a Class A felony that could bring with it 25 years to life in prison.
Advertisement
'He's still walking free,' Belfort said outside the court where Kia was scheduled to appear that morning.
'He admitted he set the fire on the house, he admitted he did it on purpose, and he admitted he thought we were inside at the time he started the fire.'
Belfort claimed Kia, who she barley knew, has shown no remorse. She also shared a recent Facebook post by Kia that showed a cat laying on top of a pair of brass knuckles, which are illegal in New York state.
6 Belfort was joined by friends, animal rights activists and state Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz.
Dennis A. Clark
In late June, the Nassau Legislature voted to expand the county's 2014 animal-abuse law to make it a misdemeanor for anyone who harms a pet, doubling time on the registry and upping punishments to potential jail time and a $1,000 fine for abusers.
And following Monday's rally at the courthouse, Nassau DA Anne Donnelly told The Post she is considering tacking on additional charges.
6 In late June, the Nassau Legislature voted to expand the county's 2014 animal-abuse law to make it a misdemeanor for anyone who harms a pet.
'This was a shocking, senseless act, and my office is considering upgrading the charges in this matter,' Donnelly said in a statement. 'It is endlessly frustrating that defendants who commit arson or kill innocent animals can walk free without my prosecutors ever having the opportunity to ask for bail.
Advertisement
'I am committed to holding defendants accountable for crimes against innocent, defenseless animals.'
Gov. Kathy Hochul's office did not respond to The Post's request for comment on Blumencranz's proposal legislation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
26 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian Armed Forces members accused of forming ‘anti-government militia,' plotting to take land in Quebec
Four men, including two members of the Canadian Armed Forces, are facing charges for allegedly attempting to seize land near Quebec City — an act that authorities have described as extremism driven by anti-government beliefs. Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, of Quebec City, Simon Angers-Audet, 24, of Neuville, and Raphaël Lagacé, 25, of Quebec City, took concrete actions to facilitate terrorist activity, the RCMP announced Tuesday. The men were planning to create an 'anti-government militia' by taking part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises, police said in a statement. They also conducted a scouting operation. The accused allegedly used high-capacity magazines, tactical equipment and various firearms in the activities — which police said took place in Quebec and Ontario. A fourth person, Matthew Forbes, 33, of Pont-Rouge, Que., faces charges that include possession of firearms, prohibited devices and explosives. Each of the accused was expected to appear in court in Quebec City on Tuesday. In an emailed statement, the Canadian Armed Forces said it was aware of the arrests and charges against two active members of the military. The RCMP seized several firearms during searches in January 2024. 'The Canadian Armed Forces is taking these allegations very seriously and has fully participated in the investigation' the statement said, directing further questions to the RCMP. A Facebook profile that appears to belong to Chabot shows he is friends with people that have the same name as Lagacé and Forbes. The account in Chabot's name lists him as working in the military. The profile in Lagacé's name says he worked in the firearms department at an outdoor equipment store in Quebec, while the account for Forbes displays a cover photo with a Canadian flag and what appears to be six military figures dressed in equipment and carrying firearms. According to RCMP Staff Sgt. Camille Habel, the individuals were driven by an extremist ideology that opposes authority and government, with the goal to establish their own independent land. Their exact motive is unclear, but generally speaking, 'the long term goal is to create your own society,' she told the Star. 'Some groups might want to make sure today's society falls, in order for theirs to rise. So what you would need, in that case, is a piece of land where you can start your new society, or have a place to meet.' The men are accused of using a private Instagram page to broadcast their military-style training and recruit members to the anti-government militia. The RCMP say one of the accused allegedly created and administered an Instagram account with the aim of recruiting new members to the anti-government militia. 'They were trying to recruit people who had knowledge and ability to use guns,' RCMP Cpl. Erique Gasse said. The page is still active, but authorities were working to shut it down 'as soon as possible,' he said. The investigation into the suspects began in March 2023, thanks to a tip received by officers with the RCMP's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team. In January 2024, police executed searches at multiple addresses in the Quebec City area, including at some residences, that led to the seizure of 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms and accessories. Police seized 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms and accessories, plus 11,000 rounds of ammunition in their searches. Approximately 11,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, nearly 130 magazines, four pairs of night vision goggles and military equipment were also seized. The charges against the four men were not laid until Tuesday. None of the allegations have been tested in court. The lengthy duration from the beginning of the probe to the filing of charges was due to the investigation's complex nature, Habel said, emphasizing that authorities needed to proceed with caution before bringing forth terrorism charges. The four accused were being monitored after the search warrants were executed last year, she said. 'If for some reason, something happened, or if there was a sign that public safety was at risk, we would have done whatever was needed to be done to deal with that threat.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Body of 76-year-old man found near Rockport Harbor
(This story was updated to add new information.) The body of a 76-year-old man was found in a body of water near Rockport Harbor on June 19. The Rockport Police Department received a phone call about the body, and officers were dispatched a minute later, a news release said. In a Facebook post on June 20, the police department identified the man as Keith Thomas Burnett, of Rockport. A preliminary investigation suggests Burnett was fishing from a pier in the harbor before the incident. Police said it is unclear how he entered the water. A medical examination to determine the cause of death is pending. This is an active investigation. More: Former Corpus Christi police officer convicted on charge of enticement of a minor More: Have drug and gang-related crimes grown in Corpus Christi? Here's what police said John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times. This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Rockport police find body near Rockport Harbor
The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
Luna urges DOJ to authorize release of more info on Epstein
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) called on the Justice Department to release more information related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying the American people 'deserve' the truth and should be able to draw their own conclusions on the case. 'The American people deserve to know truth ref. Epstein, regardless of who it impacts,' the Florida Republican said Tuesday in a post on the social media platform X. The Justice Department on Monday released a memo concluding the financier accused of sex trafficking died by suicide and that there was no 'client list' Epstein kept to blackmail powerful figures implicated in his crimes. Those revelations contradict conspiracy theories pushed by several right-wing media personalities and internet influencers, many of whom fumed Monday over the memo and alleged a cover-up was taking place. The Trump administration has pushed back on those claims and has stressed its commitment to truth and transparency. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that the memo is the result of an 'exhaustive review of all of the files related to Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and his death.' She noted there was some material that DOJ 'did not release because, frankly, it was incredibly graphic and it contained child pornography, which is not something that's appropriate for public consumption.' Luna pushed back on the idea that the only information withheld from the public was child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 'There is plenty of evidence and info not pertaining to CSAM/victims that DOJ leadership can authorize the @FBIDirectorKash and @FBIDDBongino to release,' Luna said, referring to FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. 'The @FBI cannot release anything without @TheJusticeDept authorization,' she continued. 'The Taskforce and all of its members will be asking for that on behalf of the American people.' 'The American people should be free to come to their own conclusions. The Truth will always come out one way or another,' Luna added. The Hill has reached out to DOJ for comment.
