A 29-year-old career criminal accused of using cats as live bait to train his ferocious pitbull “China” was busted on animal cruelty charges early Wednesday morning – for yet another alleged abuse incident.
Terrance Wallace was picked up by the NYPD Animal Cruelty Squad in the Bronx early Wednesday morning and charged with beating the pup with a leash and almost choking him last month, cops said.
Police said the incident took place on April 17 near Wallace’s University Heights apartment after cops received a 311 call about the alleged abuse, which included China – who is pregnant – being lifted by her leash until the dog had difficulty breathing.
He was charged with torture injury to an animal, a misdemeanor.
China last made headlines after disturbing video footage of the pitbull mauling a helpless cat went viral.
The clip was posted by the Big Apple animal rescue group Little Wanderers NYC, which said the vile practice is part of an underground dogfighting ring that has thrived “for years and years” at the Gun Hill and Parkside housing projects in the Bronx.
Wallace, who has 20 busts on his rap sheet, has not been charged in that incident, but law enforcement sources believe he is the man heard saying, “Shake her, China” in the stomach-turning footage.
His most recent bust in the five boroughs was an Oct. 10 robbery arrest on West Fordham Road.
Wallace also has an outstanding drug arrest warrant out of Maine and is expected to be extradited to the Pine Tree State, according to the sources.
Meanwhile, China is now in the care of Animal Care and Control while she awaits the birth of her pups.
