A Kishwaukee Community College basketball player was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal Sept. 5.

Edwin Darden, 19, was at a party at 775 Regent Drive in the early morning hours of Sept. 5. Darden was standing outside on the apartment’s balcony with the dog owner and her dog. He took the dog out of the owner’s hands and tossed it off the balcony.

The owner of the dog contacted police later that day.

The dog was mortally injured due to the fall and was euthanized as a result.

“Aggravated cruelty and animal torture have different components when it comes to the law. It depends on the level of injury or abuse,” said Roberta Shoas, DeKalb County Animal Shelter president and shelter manager. “Aggravated cruelty causes an animal to suffer extreme injury or death, while animal torture is when a person intentionally prolongs the pain of an animal.”

The issue of animal cruelty, especially in relation to athletes, has been brought into the public spotlight following the developments of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s involvement in a southeast Virginia dogfighting ring over the course of several years.

Vick pled guilty Aug. 24 to one felony count of conspiracy to operate an interstate dogfighting ring. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 10. The NFL has suspended Vick indefinitely without pay.

On average, the shelter does not receive many dogs that have been physically abused, Shoas said. Typically, physically abused animals are reported to Animal Control or the local police.

Last month, the shelter received a dog that was suffering from starvation.

“You could see every rib and bone in the dog’s body,” Shoas said.

It took the animal a month to fully recover. A dog that has been starved needs food, but also quality care and social interaction, she said.

“You can’t take in a dog that’s been mistreated and expect it to love you,” Shoas said.

Gradual introduction to new situations can make a world of difference to an abused dog, she said.