LI Couple, Daughter Abandoned Dog At Target Parking Lot: SPCA

BAY SHORE, NY — A Bay Shore couple and their daughter were recently charged with animal cruelty after abandoning a small dog at a Bay Shore Target last October, according to the Suffolk County SPCA.

On October 26, an SPCA Detective responded to a complaint that a small white dog was left abandoned in a crate in the store parking lot, the SPCA said. The detectives then found the dog, a 10-year-old female poodle mix.

It was later discovered that the dog had been brought to the store and was abandoned by 44-year-old Altagracia Batista and 49-year-old Luis Barrientos along with their daughter, 23-year-old Fremaris Batista, of Bronx, the SPCA said.

Photo courtesy of the Suffolk County SPCA

According to SPCA Chief Roy Gross, the dog was left in the crate between two parked cars and later moved by one of the three to a grassy area. He also said that surveillance video and credit receipts led the SPCA detectives to the identity of the trio.

As a result, last month all three were charged with one count of animal abandonment. Their return date to First District Court in Central Islip is February 5, 2020.