Animal Cruelty Charges After Pets Left in Condemned Building

The SPCA of Westchester, through a joint investigation with the Yonkers Police Department, arrested a man and issued a warrant for a woman over a case of animal cruelty.

SPCA officials said Yonkers authorities were at 40 Croton Terrace on Feb. 29, in the process of condemning the building when Police Officer William Pataky was informed that there was a dog and cat in one of the apartments. He offered the services of Yonkers Animal Shelter to the pet owners. They refused the offer and said they would find proper arrangements for the animals.

On March 2, after the building on Croton Terrace was condemned and locked up, Yonkers authorities and SPCA of Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit were informed that a pit bull was still in the apartment. It was later discovered that a cat was also abandoned as well.

The cat was examined by a veterinarian and found to be emaciated, dehydrated, suffering from an eye infection and covered in urine. Her intestines contained cat litter.

After treatment, the cat was brought to the Yonkers Animal Shelter.

“No matter how many times we rescue animals from situations of neglect and abuse, like this one,” said Shannon Laukhuf, Executive Director of the SPCA of Westchester, in the announcement. “It’s always heartbreaking to see. We are grateful for our community partnerships and for the dedication shown by all involved.”

Michael Schurick, 68, was charged with animal cruelty and two counts of abandonment for leaving a dog and cat behind in a locked and condemned building with no food or water. A warrant for the arrest of Patricia Townsend was issued for animal cruelty and abandonment.