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The investigation began on Tuesday evening, April 8, around 8:54 p.m., when authorities were called to the parking lot of Saint James the Apostle Church in Carmel. There, good Samaritans discovered a severely emaciated male pit bull mix wandering alone, the Putnam SPCA announced on Saturday, April 12.
The dog, later identified as “Milo,” was immediately rushed to Guardian Veterinary Specialists for emergency care. At the clinic, Milo weighed just 37 pounds—more than 20 pounds under his expected weight—and was assigned a body condition score of 1.5 out of 9. Veterinarians said his ribs, spine, and hips were clearly visible, and he showed extreme signs of malnourishment and muscle loss.
Around the same time, another dog, a medium-sized, long-haired female named “Elly," was discovered in similarly poor condition in the Tacoland parking lot in Carmel. Elly was brought to the Putnam Humane Society by the Town of Carmel Dog Control Officer and was found to be severely matted and neglected, SPCA officials said.
The Putnam County SPCA soon launched a criminal investigation into the cases. With help from the City of Danbury Animal Control Division, Guardian Veterinary Specialists, and the Putnam Humane Society, detectives were able to identify the dogs’ owner as 55-year-old Gina Riccio of Mahopac.
On Thursday, April 10, Riccio was interviewed by detectives and subsequently arrested. She is now facing two counts of animal cruelty and two counts of animal abandonment.
Each count of animal cruelty is a Class A misdemeanor in New York State, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Abandonment is an unclassified misdemeanor carrying similar penalties.
Both Milo and Elly are now in the care of local animal welfare organizations.
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