N.J. construction worker harassed couple rushing dying dog to vet, suit says

Convicted felon Anthony Pate, 40, of Belleville allegedly kicked the cars doors and laid on the hood

Anthony PateBergen County Prosecutor's Office 

NEW YORK -- A convicted felon from New Jersey was one of two workers who harassed a Manhattan couple trying to drive their sick dog to a veterinarian last fall, according to a lawsuit filed against a construction company.

Jair Freire and Angela Cuce later sued Plaza Construction for $1 million, NYDailyNews.com reported.

Anthony Pate of Belleville was working as a flagman when he and Bienvenido Rodriguez stopped Friere's BMW as it traveled along East 22nd Street between Park and Lexington avenues on Sept. 24, 2015.

Although Freire and Cuce frantically explained to the workers their bulldog was having trouble breathing, Pate allegedly laid on top of the car, the report said.

Pate also allegedly kicked both passenger side doors on the luxury vehicle, causing thousands in damage.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, climbed onto the BMW, slammed his hand on the hood and used threatening language to the couple.

Hero dog waits to return home after saving owner's life

The workers eventually let the couple pass and they made it to the vet on 15th Street in time to save the dog. Bruiser ended up dying several months later of heart failure, NYPost.com said.

Plaza Construction told the Daily News that a subcontractor doing work at the site hired Pate. A 777-foot building that will house condominiums is being built there.

Pate, 40, has a long rap sheet, including convictions for aggravated assault, kidnapping, and armed robbery from 2006-2013, according to the Post.

In 2014, he was one of six men arrested for allegedly taking part in a bloody brawl inside and outside a South Hackensack go-go bar that saw one man bludgeoned in the head with a hammer, another stabbed in the torso and two struck by a car.

Pate, who was stabbed in the torso during the altercation, was charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.