Troubled playboy hotelier Vikram Chatwal got a slap on the wrist Tuesday for trying to set two dogs on fire in Soho.
Manhattan Judge Gerianne Abriano asked Chatwal whether he “attempted to cause serious physical injury to two dogs using an aerosol can and lighter to set fire to them?”
“Yes, your Honor,” answered the founder of the Dream, Time and Night hotel chains.
But “given the defendant’s mental health history and lack of criminal history and minimal injury to the dogs, we are offering” a no-jail deal, said Assistant District Attorney Tanisha Palvia.
Chatwal, 44, must serve five days of community service, continue mental-health treatment, submit to random drug testing and still live with his parents under the deal.
He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and violation. If he complies, in one year, the misdemeanor charge of aggravated animal cruelty will be dropped.
Chatwal’s name also will be added to the animal abuse registry, and he is barred from owning or caring for a pet for five years.
It’s unclear what will happen to the six dogs and horse his lawyer Arthur Aidala previously said his client owns.
The Oct. 9, 2016, incident began with Chatwal sprinting down Wooster Street screaming, “‘The dogs must die’ and [lighting] the dog on fire,” Assistant District Attorney Erin Satterthwaite previously said.
Chatwal was caught on video holding an aerosol can and lighter, she said.
Chatwal’s lawyers have said he suffers from bipolar disorder.
“Vikram just needs to hit the reset button on life,” said Aidala outside the courtroom. That’s what we are going to do.” He added, “This was a horrible 30 seconds of his life that we are going to put behind us.”
The attorney said that Chatwal runs the hotel company and will continue to do so.