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Animal Cruelty

Shelter Founder Charged With Animal Cruelty For Second Time In Northern Westchester Shelter Founder Charged With Animal Cruelty For Second Time In Northern Westchester
Shelter Founder Charged With Animal Cruelty For Second Time In Northern Westchester Following the death of two dogs who were denied veterinary care, the founder of a Northern Westchester animal shelter was criminally charged for the second time in a year, officials announced.  Bedford resident Penny Berk, the founder and owner of the Rescue Right animal shelter at Northwind Kennels in Bedford at 402 Old Post Rd. (Route 172), was arrested for a second time and charged with two counts of animal cruelty, SPCA Westchester announced on Wednesday, Nov. 13.  Berk was first arrested on animal cruelty charges on Thursday, July 18 in connection with the deaths of…
Animal Cruelty: Chickens, Ducks, Roosters Found In 'Deplorable' Conditions In Mahopac Animal Cruelty: Chickens, Ducks, Roosters Found In 'Deplorable' Conditions In Mahopac
Animal Cruelty: Chickens, Ducks, Roosters Found In 'Deplorable' Conditions In Mahopac A 57-year-old man faces criminal charges after neglecting several chickens, roosters, and ducks on his Hudson Valley property, authorities announced. The man was arrested in Putnam County on Monday, Sept. 23 following an investigation conducted at his Mahopac residence, the Putnam County SPCA announced on Friday, Sept. 27. According to authorities, on the day of the man's arrest, SPCA Law Enforcement Division members met with caseworkers from the county's Child Protective Services at his Mahopac address.  There, the caseworkers had already been investigating the care of a teenager at …
New Update: Reward Increased For Suspect Who Shot Cat In Patterson New Update: Reward Increased For Suspect Who Shot Cat In Patterson
New Update: Reward Increased For Suspect Who Shot Cat In Patterson Authorities and animal advocates are increasing the reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever shot an owned cat in the Hudson Valley with a pellet gun.  The New York State Humane Association and Putnam County SPCA are now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot Kiwi, a 3-year-old neutered orange tabby cat, in the town of Patterson around Tuesday, Aug. 20.  This reward is on top of Kiwi's owner's offered reward of $500 and $250 offered by a concerned citizen, officials said, adding that the total reward is now…
Suspect At Large After Shooting Cat In Patterson Suspect At Large After Shooting Cat In Patterson
Suspect At Large After Shooting Cat In Patterson Authorities in the Hudson Valley are offering a $500 reward for any information that could help lead to the arrest of a suspect who shot an owned cat with a metal projectile.  New, updated report - New Update: Reward Increased For Suspect Who Shot Cat In Patterson The incident happened in Putnam County around the time of Tuesday, Aug. 20, when a 3-year-old neutered male orange tabby cat named Kiwi was shot with what is believed to be an airgun pellet, the Putnam County SPCA announced on Thursday, Sept. 5.  The cat, owned by a resident of Bullet Hole Road in Patterson, was th…
Update: North Salem Man Charged After Abandoning 3 Flea-Covered Dogs, Officials Say Update: North Salem Man Charged After Abandoning 3 Flea-Covered Dogs, Officials Say
Update: North Salem Man Charged After Abandoning 3 Flea-Covered Dogs, Officials Say A 56-year-old Northern Westchester man faces animal cruelty charges after allegedly abandoning three dogs in the Hudson Valley, officials announced.  North Salem resident Marcelino Robledo Guardado was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 1 in connection with the abandonment of three female collie and lab mixes in Putnam County on Saturday, July 13, the Putnam County SPCA announced on Tuesday, Aug. 6.  On the day they were found, the three dogs were discovered covered in fleas and ticks while wandering the area of Sunken Mine road in Putnam Valley, which is part of Clarence Fahnes…
Shelter Founder Charged With Animal Cruelty After Death Of 5 Dogs In Northern Westchester Shelter Founder Charged With Animal Cruelty After Death Of 5 Dogs In Northern Westchester
Shelter Founder Charged With Animal Cruelty After Death Of 5 Dogs In Northern Westchester The founder of a Northern Westchester animal shelter faces criminal charges following the euthanization of five dogs found suffering from a serious virus due to an alleged lack of proper care, officials announced.  Bedford resident Penny Berk, the founder and owner of the Rescue Right animal shelter at Northwind Kennels in Bedford at 402 Old Post Rd. (Route 172), was arrested on Thursday, July 18 following the deaths of sick Bernese Mountain Dogs, SPCA Westchester announced.  According to authorities, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, several witnesses told the SPCA that four sick&nb…
Update: Abused Dog On Mend After Being Found Emaciated In Kent Animal Cruelty Case Update: Abused Dog On Mend After Being Found Emaciated In Kent Animal Cruelty Case
Update: Abused Dog On Mend After Being Found Emaciated In Kent Animal Cruelty Case A dog that was found severely emaciated in the Hudson Valley is in the process of gaining her strength back following the arrest of her owner on animal cruelty charges, officials said. Abby, an 8-year-old Catahoula leopard mix dog, was rescued after being found in a state of severe emaciation at a Putnam County residence in Kent on Chief Nimham Drive on Sunday, June 23.  Earlier Report - Kent Woman Accused Of Animal Neglect After Dog Found Severely Emaciated After the discovery, Abby's owner, Shannon McMahon of Kent, age 42, was arrested by the Putnam County SPCA a…
New Update: Woman Nabbed After Abandoning Dog On Westchester Road, Officials Say New Update: Woman Nabbed After Abandoning Dog On Westchester Road, Officials Say
New Update: Woman Nabbed After Abandoning Dog On Westchester Road, Officials Say A woman faces criminal charges after allegedly dumping a puppy out of a car and abandoning it on a Westchester road, authorities announced.  In an announcement on Wednesday, June 26, SPCA Westchester said Marissa Levy was arrested on Tuesday, June 25 in connection with the abandonment, which occurred in New Rochelle.  Earlier Report - Authorities Looking For Woman Wearing Scrubs Who Abandoned Dog On New Rochelle Road According to the SPCA, on Tuesday, June 11, Levy allegedly dumped a Labrador Retriever puppy out of a car onto Lotus Road in New Rochelle. The inciden…
Kent Woman Accused Of Animal Neglect After Dog Found Severely Emaciated Kent Woman Accused Of Animal Neglect After Dog Found Severely Emaciated
Kent Woman Accused Of Animal Neglect After Dog Found Severely Emaciated A 42-year-old Hudson Valley woman faces animal cruelty charges following the discovery of a severely emaciated dog, authorities announced.  New, updated report - Update: Abused Dog On Mend After Being Found Emaciated In Kent Animal Cruelty Case Putnam County resident Shannon McMahon of Kent, age 42, was arrested after police found her eight-year-old Catahoula leopard mix dog in a state of severe emaciation, the Putnam County SPCA announced on Tuesday, June 25.  According to the SPCA, on the evening of Sunday, June 23, the Town of Kent Police Department responded to a residen…
5 Puppies Found Abandoned In Dumpster On I-684 In Northern Westchester 5 Puppies Found Abandoned In Dumpster On I-684 In Northern Westchester
5 Puppies Found Abandoned In Dumpster On I-684 In Northern Westchester Authorities are searching for whoever abandoned five puppies inside a closed, air-tight container found inside a dumpster at a rest stop along a Northern Westchester highway.  The five puppies were discovered on Monday, May 6 at the Bedford Rest Area along Interstate 684, New York State Police announced on Thursday, May 9.  According to Adopt-a-Dog, an animal shelter based in Armonk, the five puppies were found thrown away like trash inside a closed container inside a dumpster at the rest stop.  Luckily, their faint cries were heard before it was too late, and the dogs were …
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Illegally Trapping Squirrels, Spraying Them With Red Paint: Police Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Illegally Trapping Squirrels, Spraying Them With Red Paint: Police
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Illegally Trapping Squirrels, Spraying Them With Red Paint: Police A man faces criminal charges after illegally trapping squirrels on his property, spraying them with red paint, and releasing them in the Hudson Valley, police said. Putnam County resident Mark Kuhn of Patterson, age 62, was arrested for illegally trapping the animals, the Putnam County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced on Monday, Jan. 15.  The arrest followed an investigation conducted by the SPCA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police.  According to authorities, the investigation into Kuhn began when he admi…
Discovery Of Possible Skinned Dog At Hudson Valley Parking Lot Prompts Police Response Discovery Of Possible Skinned Dog At Hudson Valley Parking Lot Prompts Police Response
Discovery Of Possible Skinned Dog At Hudson Valley Parking Lot Prompts Police Response Authorities responded to a parking lot in the Hudson Valley following the discovery of what appeared to be a skinned adult dog only feet away from handicapped spots.  The carcass was discovered in Putnam County at the Patterson "Park and Ride" lot on Route 311 on Thursday, Nov. 9 around 3:15 p.m., the Putnam County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced.  According to authorities, the carcass was found in grass a couple of feet away from handicapped spots at the lot. Arriving SPCA detectives and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation Po…
Emaciated Dog With Inflamed Skin Found In Mahopac: Authorities Investigating Emaciated Dog With Inflamed Skin Found In Mahopac: Authorities Investigating
Emaciated Dog With Inflamed Skin Found In Mahopac: Authorities Investigating Authorities are asking for help from the public to find more information about an emaciated dog that was found loose on a Hudson Valley road.  The dog, a female brown pit bull, was found in Putnam County on Tuesday, Oct. 24 on Hilltop Drive in Mahopac, the Putnam County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced.  According to the SPCA, the dog was found by a good samaritan who cared for her until she was picked up by Carmel Dog Patrol and brought to the Putnam Humane Society.  The pit bull was later examined and treated by the Brook Farm Veterinary Center, w…
New Update: Extremely Matted Mini-Poodle From Hudson Valley Finds New, Loving Home New Update: Extremely Matted Mini-Poodle From Hudson Valley Finds New, Loving Home
New Update: Extremely Matted Mini-Poodle From Hudson Valley Finds New, Loving Home A poodle that was rescued from a Hudson Valley home after being found severely matted and in poor health has found a new loving home in Connecticut. Pierre the mini-poodle was discovered in Putnam County on Saturday, Aug. 5 after detectives from the county's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to a residence in the town of Patterson on Lake Shore Drive.  Earlier Report - Extremely Matted Mini-Poodle Found At Patterson Residence: Owner Charged, Police Say According to the SPCA, the detectives found the 9-year-old Pierre inside the home suffering from ex…
Golfer Beats Goose To Death With Club In Mahopac: Police Golfer Beats Goose To Death With Club In Mahopac: Police
Golfer Beats Goose To Death With Club In Mahopac: Police A man faces charges after beating a goose to death with a club at a Hudson Valley golf course, police said.  The arrest stemmed from an incident on Friday, Aug. 18, when the Putnam County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) responded to a call from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police regarding a golfer beating a Canada Goose to death.  According to the Putnam County SPCA, the incident happened at the Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac at 187 Hill St., where Law Enforcement Division Detectives met with DEC Police to int…
Extremely Matted Mini-Poodle Found At Patterson Residence: Owner Charged, Police Say Extremely Matted Mini-Poodle Found At Patterson Residence: Owner Charged, Police Say
Extremely Matted Mini-Poodle Found At Patterson Residence: Owner Charged, Police Say New, updated report: New Update: Extremely Matted Mini-Poodle From Patterson Finds New, Loving Home A Hudson Valley man faces animal cruelty charges after authorities found a severely matted mini-poodle at his residence that was unable to see or walk properly, police said.  The dog was discovered in Putnam County on Saturday, Aug. 5, when detectives with the Putnam County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to a residence in the town of Patterson on Lake Shore Drive. According to the Putnam County SPCA, there, they found an extremely matted 9-year-old min…
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Illegally Killing Bear Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Illegally Killing Bear
Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Illegally Killing Bear A Hudson Valley homeowner has been accused of allegedly killing a black bear without provocation.  The incident took place in Dutchess County on Saturday, April 22 in the town of Dover.  According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call for shots fired and witnessed an individual dragging the bear back to his residence when they arrived at the location. The sheriff's office contacted State Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Kevin Wamsley who responded to the scene and interviewed the homeowner wh…
Putnam Hunter Accused Of Killing, Skinning Pet Dogs From Ridgefield He Mistook For Coyotes Putnam Hunter Accused Of Killing, Skinning Pet Dogs From Ridgefield He Mistook For Coyotes
Putnam Hunter Accused Of Killing, Skinning Pet Dogs From Ridgefield He Mistook For Coyotes A New York man faces criminal charges after allegedly killing and skinning two pet dogs in Connecticut that he thought were coyotes.  Putnam County resident Michael Konschak, age 61, of Carmel, faces tampering with evidence, forgery, and hunting-related violation charges after allegedly killing the two dogs in northern Fairfield County on Friday, Nov. 18 after they escaped their owner's home.  Konschak was arrested by environmental conservation police associated with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental protection on Wednesday, Feb. 8, according to court documents.  The …
Video Showing Dog Thrown Into Door Under Investigation In Westchester County: Police Video Showing Dog Thrown Into Door Under Investigation In Westchester County: Police
Video Showing Dog Thrown Into Door Under Investigation In Westchester County: Police Police in Westchester County are investigating an incident of animal cruelty in the wake of a video on social media depicting a man throwing a dog.  The investigation into the video was announced by Yonkers Police on Wednesday, Jan. 25, who said that the video of the animal mistreatment was taken within the city.  The video shows a man picking a dog up and throwing it into a metal garage door. The man then continues to walk the dog across a road in Yonkers, according to numerous reports.  ANIMAL ABUSE: Yonkers Police Dept is investigating after a man is caught on camera tossing a dog …
Westchester Puppy Killer Gets More Than Year In Prison Westchester Puppy Killer Gets More Than Year In Prison
Westchester Puppy Killer Gets More Than Year In Prison A Westchester County man who killed a 12-week-old puppy by throwing it into oncoming traffic has been sentenced to more than a year in prison.  Earlier Report - Mount Vernon Man Charged With Animal Cruelty, Accused Of Killing 12-Week-Old Puppy Mount Vernon resident Thaddeus Jones, age 34, was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Thursday, Jan. 5 for killing the puppy in May 2022, Westchester District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced.  On Saturday, May 14, 2022, around 7 p.m., Jones was a passenger in his friend's car when he grabbed their Pitbull puppy named “Lady” a…
NY Guide Dog Trainer Charged In Animal's Hot Car Death NY Guide Dog Trainer Charged In Animal's Hot Car Death
NY Guide Dog Trainer Charged In Animal's Hot Car Death A New York woman tasked with training service guide dogs is facing criminal charges after allegedly leaving a dog in a hot car, causing the animal’s death. Long Island resident Jodi Meyers, age 51, of Lake Grove in Suffolk County, was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and failing to provide proper shelter and air for a 3-year-old black Labrador retriever named Milton. Meyers, an employee at the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, located in Smithtown, took the dog out for training in July 2022 and left the animal inside a crate in a work van, according to the Suffolk County SPCA. Ou…
Duo From NY Accused Of Animal Cruelty After Dogs Found Covered In Porcupine Quills Duo From NY Accused Of Animal Cruelty After Dogs Found Covered In Porcupine Quills
Duo From NY Accused Of Animal Cruelty After Dogs Found Covered In Porcupine Quills Two New York residents are facing animal cruelty charges after dogs were found at their home suffering from chronic injuries caused by porcupine quills. New York State Police said 41-year-old Christina LaValley and 42-year-old John Paul Barton, both residents of Parish in Oswego County, were arrested on Sunday, Aug. 7, and charged with four counts of animal cruelty. Police said several dogs at their residence had porcupine quills in their faces, noses, necks, and bodies. Barton told investigators he didn't have money to take the animals to the veterinarian and planned to shoot them, a…
Fair's Dog-Riding Monkey Attraction Denounced By Local Town Supervisor In Hudson Valley Fair's Dog-Riding Monkey Attraction Denounced By Local Town Supervisor In Hudson Valley
Fair's Dog-Riding Monkey Attraction Denounced By Local Town Supervisor In Hudson Valley For over a century, families have flocked to a popular summertime event in the Hudson Valley, enjoying its thrilling rides, delicious food, and live music. But come next year, the Orange County Fair in Middletown may have one less attraction if a neighboring town has its way. Just days before the fair wrapped up its 2022 season, the Town of Wallkill issued a statement Friday, July 29, condemning a show that features Capuchin monkey “jockeys” riding on the backs of dogs while the dogs race. The show, dubbed the Banana Derby, is described as a favorite among fairgoers and features multiple …
Westchester Man Accused Of Pushing Woman From Car, Throwing Dog Westchester Man Accused Of Pushing Woman From Car, Throwing Dog
Westchester Man Accused Of Pushing Woman From Car, Throwing Dog A domestic argument led a Westchester man to throw a woman and a dog from a vehicle while two children were in the car in Fairfield County. The incident took place in Cummings Beach in Stamford around 10:50 p.m. on Saturday, July 9. Stamford Police received a call from an open 911 line, as they heard a male and female fighting, and screaming for help, said Capt. Diedrich Hohn, of the Stamford Police. Officers rushed to the scene and discovered a woman walking with an injured animal. She told officers that her ex-boyfriend pushed her out of a car, and then threw the dog out the window. Thi…
Westchester Woman Accused Of Abusing, Neglecting, Starving Dog, SPCA Says Westchester Woman Accused Of Abusing, Neglecting, Starving Dog, SPCA Says
Westchester Woman Accused Of Abusing, Neglecting, Starving Dog, SPCA Says A Westchester woman is facing animal cruelty charges after allegedly failing to provide adequate food, water and veterinary care for an extended period to her young pit bull, according to the SPCA. The SPCA of Westchester announced that Yonkers resident Carletta Jenkins, age 43, has been arrested and charged following an investigation into her treatment of “Mad Dog,” who was found abused following a fire in her apartment. On Tuesday, April 19, the Yonkers Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire on Riverview Place, where they found a young, emaciated Mad Dog inside the apartment. Accor…
Westchester Man Accused Of Breaking Leg Of Kitten, SPCA Says Westchester Man Accused Of Breaking Leg Of Kitten, SPCA Says
Westchester Man Accused Of Breaking Leg Of Kitten, SPCA Says A Westchester man is facing charges for allegedly breaking the leg of an 8-week-old kitten, the SPCA announced. In Mount Vernon, law enforcement authorities received reports that a kitten had been struck with a broomstick, prompting a multi-agency investigation led by the SPCA of Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit. According to SPCA Chief Ernest Lungaro and Mount Vernon Police Officer Brianna Mecca, the investigation led to the arrest of Mount Vernon resident Erby Charlemagne, who allegedly abused the kitten and was charged with animal cruelty, they announced on Tuesday, May 17. In…
Suspended Fairfield County K-9 Officer Killed, Buried Dogs at Training Facility, Police Say Suspended Fairfield County K-9 Officer Killed, Buried Dogs at Training Facility, Police Say
Suspended Fairfield County K-9 Officer Killed, Buried Dogs at Training Facility, Police Say A suspended Connecticut K-9 officer and another man have been charged with killing at least 10 dogs and burying them on his business property. New Canaan PD Officer David Rivera Jr., age 34, a Fairfield County resident in Stratford, turned himself in to Naugatuck Police in New Haven County on Monday, May 2, Department on an active warrant for events that took place at his business Black Rock Canine Training: Conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals Reckless endangerment  Conspiracy to commit euthanization of a canine Rivera was arrested along with his general manager New Haven County r…
Westchester Veterinarian Arrested For Punching, Kicking Animals, Police Say Westchester Veterinarian Arrested For Punching, Kicking Animals, Police Say
Westchester Veterinarian Arrested For Punching, Kicking Animals, Police Say A veterinarian in the region is accused of physically abusing numerous animals that were entrusted in his care. Javier Diaz, age 46, was arrested Thursday, April 28, following an investigation by SPCA Westchester and the Westchester County DA’s office. The abuse allegedly occurred on six occasions in April 2022 at Main Street Animal Hospital, a clinic owned by Diaz in the village of Elmsford, in the town of Greenburgh. Investigators with SPCA Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE) said on one occasion Diaz struck a two-month-old kitten on the head with nail clippers and then jamm…
Man Convicted Of Killing Girlfriend's Pets At Her Home In Area Man Convicted Of Killing Girlfriend's Pets At Her Home In Area
Man Convicted Of Killing Girlfriend's Pets At Her Home In Area A man has admitted to torturing and killing his former girlfriend’s two pets inside her Hudson Valley home. Matthew Savinovich pleaded guilty in a Putnam County Court Tuesday, April 26, to two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, one count of torturing animals, and one count of attempted burglary. Investigators said Savinovich, a New Jersey resident from the borough of Norwood in Bergen County, admitted to killing two of the woman’s chihuahuas by slamming them against a wall in her Lake Peekskill home. He also confessed to intentionally dropping a mattress and box spring on top of her …
Man Accused Of Trapping Neighbor's Cat In Area Man Accused Of Trapping Neighbor's Cat In Area
Man Accused Of Trapping Neighbor's Cat In Area A serial animal abandoner from Dutchess County is facing charges after being busted by the Putnam County SPCA for allegedly trapping and leaving a neighbor’s cat in the woods, authorities announced. Daniel Anastasia, a 62-year-old resident of Birchwood Park Mobile Homes on Route 9 in the Town of Wappinger has been accused of allegedly trapping one of his neighbors’ cats on his property and transporting it to a wooded section of Reservoir Road in the Town of Southeast. According to the SPCA, despite searching daily, the cat’s owners have been unable to locate their pet. Anastasia allegedly…
Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend's Four Pets In Area Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend's Four Pets In Area
Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend's Four Pets In Area A 27-year-old man is facing charges for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend's pets over the course of a year, authorities announced. Matthew Savinovich, of the borough of Norwood in Bergen County, New Jersey, was arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 6 by officers from the Putnam County SPCA for allegedly killing three chihuahuas and a ferret that belonged to his ex in Lake Peekskill. Specifically, Savinovich was charged with: Felony burglary; Four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals; Four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty; Four counts of felony criminal mischief; Bail jumping. It is…