A Mastic Beach woman was sentenced to eight months in jail after violating the conditions of her three-year probation. In September 2024, Amy Willi pleaded guilty to Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree after her male pit bull “Kojo” mauled a two-year-old boy and attacked the toddler’s uncle.
On March 14, 2023, Willi failed to adequately secure Kojo inside her home and opened the front door to her residence. At the time, a two-year-old boy was playing in the front yard of his home across the street.
Kojo dashed out the front door and ran straight towards the child. The toddler’s uncle, who had been watching him, picked up his nephew to protect him from the dog. Kojo bit the uncle on his
left forearm, causing the toddler to fall to the ground. Kojo then bit the boy multiple times on his face, head and body, causing lacerations to his right eye, cheek, scalp and leg.
The attack stopped when several family members ran outside the home and forced the dog to release the child. The toddler was rushed to the emergency room at Stony Brook University Hospital, where he received stitches for his injuries.
Willi admitted to law enforcement that she knew Kojo was a dangerous dog with violent tendencies. The dog was later found abandoned and brought to a local shelter where he attacked a staff member and ultimately had to be euthanized.
On September 25, 2024, Willi pleaded guilty to Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor, before Acting County Court Judge F. Scott Carrigan.
On April 28, 2025, Willi, 48, was sentenced to three years of supervision by the Suffolk County Department of Probation. She agreed to abide by a series of probationary conditions, including 320 hours of community service, reporting to a Suffolk County Probation Officer, refraining from alcohol and narcotics and complying with a treatment program. Willi was also not permitted to own, possess, or care for any animals for three years.
Over the course of several months, Willi failed to comply with virtually any of the conditions of her probation, outside of not owning or possessing an animal. As a result, the Suffolk County Department of Probation filed a Violation of Probation action against the defendant. She was subsequently arraigned and remanded in April 2026.
On August 26, 2026, Willi admitted to violating the conditions of probation and Carrigan sentenced her to eight months in jail.
“This defendant’s repeated disregard for court orders, the rule of law and public safety is unacceptable,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “After pleading guilty to recklessly allowing her violent dog to attack a toddler and the child’s uncle, the defendant failed to comply with virtually any of the terms of her probation. This sentence ensures real consequences for her actions and further protects the public.”