Arrest Made in Abandoned Pitbull Case

Police have made an arrest in the death of a dog on the street in Yonkers.

On the evening of Nov. 17, the Yonkers Animal Shelter received a call about a dog in distress on the street across from 81 Van Cortlandt Park. When responders arrived, they found a brindle-colored pit bull mix, wrapped in jackets and near death from apparent starvation. Despite veterinarians’ best efforts, the pit bull mix—whose hips, ribs and spine were visible through his skin—never regained consciousness.

On Nov. 28, Ernest Lungaro, Director of The Humane Law Enforcement Unit of the SPCA of Westchester, in partnership with Officer William Pataky of the Yonkers Police Department, arrested Christina Harris, 23, formerly of 41 Cliff Street in Yonkers. The charge was two counts of abandonment and animal cruelty.

During the investigation, it was discovered that a cat had been left behind in the apartment on Cliff Street by Harris. The cat survived and is at the Yonkers shelter.

To help secure a timely arrest, a reward had been offered by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person or persons responsible for the crime. No tips were received.

“This senseless and cruel death could have been avoided if someone reported the cruelty,” said Shannon Laukhuf, Executive Director of the SPCA of Westchester. “If you suspect that an animal may be abused or abandoned, we encourage you to call the SPCA’s 24-hour confidential hotline at 914-941- 7797."