Suffolk Woman Left Dog Out In Freezing Weather: SPCA

HUNTINGTON STATION, NY — A Huntington Station woman is facing charges after she was accused of leaving her dog outside in sub-freezing weather, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stated.

Holly Acker, 42, was charged Saturday with animal cruelty and violating the Suffolk County Code after she left her 12-year-old labrador mix outside, the SPCA said. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Her dog was left outside overnight for almost 12 hours with no ready access to any food or water, or any indoor or heated facility while the temperature ranged between 17 degrees and 22 degrees, Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said. Acker told investigators that she was home the entire time and had "passed out," the SPCA said.

Police officers and neighbors had repeatedly knocked on her door and tried to get her to bring the dog inside for the night, the SPCA said.

"Neighbors, who were unable to take the dog, desperately tried to provide for the dog in that frigid weather by giving food, water, a blanket, and a foam bed to the dog while Acker was in her warm home 'passed out,'" the Suffolk SPCA wrote.

Acker is due to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Feb. 10.

"Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County," the SPCA said. "If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722."