Crime & Safety

Nassau Man Arrested For Abandoning Dog In Winter Weather: SPCA

Authorities say the dog was found outside without food, water or shelter and its ribs were visible against its skin.

A Massapequa man was arrested on Wednesday on charges of leaving a pit bull outside in the winter without any protection or food.

According to the Nassau County SPCA, a SPCA detective was called to a home in Roosevelt on Feb. 6. When he arrived, police say he heard a dog barking as if it was in distress. The detective looked through an opening in a wood fence on the property, and police say he saw a 4-year-old female pit bull standing on a towel outside without any food, water or shelter. The dog, named Madonna, had visible ribs protruding through her skin, which was discolored, and she was shaking. The day she was found, it was 32 degrees outside.

The Nassau County SPCA investigated, and on Wednesday arrested Maurice Hankins, 36, of Massapequa. He was charged with torturing or injuring animals/failure to provide sustenance. Hankins is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead.

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Photo: Nassau County SPCA

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