Dream Hotel founder Vikram Chatwal was arrested by NYPD Tuesday, October 18 for burning 2 dogs with an aerosol can and lighter. As per reports, Chatwal allegedly walked up to the dogs on a NYC street outside his apartment last week and opened fire as they were being walked. Chatwal was booked on one felony count of criminal mischief — and 3 misdemeanors … torturing an animal, reckless endangerment and arson.
Reports stated that he posted $50,000 bail and walked out of Manhattan criminal court in silence. Vikram Chatwal, 44, founder of the Dream Hotel Group, was charged with animal torture, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment for the Oct. 7 attack on Wooster St. near Grand St in New York. Dressed in all white with a grey vest, Chatwal was silent as he stood before Judge Steve Statsinger, who issued an order of protection for the two dogs — Molly and Finnegan — their owner and their dog walker. Chatwal’s attorney said his client was a lifetime animal lover who suffers from a bipolar disorder but would never harm an animal.
The dogs suffered minor injuries when their fur was burned, officials said. Chatwal has had a number of run-ins with the police over the years. In 2013, he was jailed in Florida after cops allegedly found him with illegal drugs at an airport checkpoint. He also admitted in 2014 that he was an addict who has been in rehab several times in the past. Assistant District Attorney Erin Satterthwaite said Chatwal acted erratically that day and was screaming, “The dogs must die!” Chatwal had to surrender his passport to the court. He’s due back Dec. 8.