VALHALLA, N.Y. — A 58-year-old dog owner has been charged with animal cruelty for dumping a neglected schnauzer last month after being identified by surveillance video.
The SPCA of Westchester announced on Wednesday that it made an arrest in connection with the woman leaving the severely injured schnauzer named Roxy at the Valhalla Animal Hospital on the evening of June 18.
Jean Regan, 58, of 3 Roberta Place in North White Plains was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and abandonment of an animal, according to Ernest Lungaro, director of the SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit.
Regan was identified by a television viewer who saw a newscast on News 12 Westchester, which featured surveillance footage from the Valhalla Animal Hospital where the schnauzer was dumped.
Roxy was examined by Dr. John Credaroli, a Valhalla veterinarian who described the dog’s condition as one of the worst examples of neglect he had ever seen, according to the SPCA.
Lungaro told Daily Voice that there was clear evidence that Roxy was neglected “for a prolonged period of time.” Roxy’s coat was matted and saturated in urine and feces to the extent that she suffered burns on her feet and perianal area from the urine, he said. The dog had to be sedated in order for a groomer to remove the matting.
The 7-year-old dog also suffered from inflamed gums and rotten teeth as well as overgrown nails that were growing into the pads of her paws. Due to the amount of hair that had grown around Roxy’s ears, it is believed that she was unable to hear, Lungaro added.
“We are very grateful that the person who neglected Roxy to such a degree, and then abandoned her, has been identified and arrested,” Shannon Laukhuf, executive director at the SPCA of Westchester, said in a statement. “We were thrilled to learn that she has already been adopted into a loving home. There are many deserving animals who could use a second chance like this, which is why we appreciate everyone who adopts a shelter animal.”
Regan is due to appear in Mount Pleasant Town Court on Thursday morning. She faces up to one year in jail as well as fines on the misdemeanor charge.
