Woman Abandons Animals in Long Island Apartment: Police

A South Huntington woman faces animal cruelty charges after police say she left multiple pets without care for several days, causing one dog to die, authorities discovered Thursday.

According to authorities, a landlord called police after hearing her tenant’s dog barking excessively in the 214 Beverly Road apartment at approximately 9:10 p.m.

Officers arrived to the scene to find two Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs, one dead, two geckos, a snake and a cat that had not been cared for, police say.

The tenant, 27-year-old Melissa Buchanan, returned home while officers were at the scene and admitted to police she had not been home for several days, police say.

Buchanan was arrested and charged with six counts of animal cruelty under the New York State Agricultural Law.

The Town of Huntington Animal Control responded to the scene and took possession of the surviving dog and cat. The Suffolk County SPCA made arrangements for the care of the lizards.

Buchanan was held overnight at the fourth precinct and is scheduled for arraignment Friday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Mugshot via SCPD, photos of animals via SPCA