Yonkers Woman Arrested For Animal Cruelty After Starving Dog: SPCA

YONKERS, NY — An emergency call for a house fire led authorities to discover a horrific case of animal abuse, according to officials.

The SPCA Westchester Humane Law Enforcement Unit, under the direction of Ernest Lungaro, along with Yonkers Police Officer Thomas Jackson in a joint investigation, arrested and charged Carletta Jenkins with animal cruelty. The 43-year-old was charged with not providing adequate food, water and veterinary care for an extended period to her young pit bull.

On April 19, 2022, the Yonkers Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire on Riverview Place in Yonkers. A young, emaciated dog named Mad Dog was discovered in the apartment. The pit bull was in an advanced state of emaciation, dehydration, and extreme neglect, according to investigators. He was removed from the home and taken to the Yonkers Animal Shelter for medical attention.

After an examination, it was found that Mad Dog’s state of emaciation was consistent with starvation, officials said. The dog's ribs, hip and pelvic bones were visibly prominent. Mad Dog was denied necessary food and water resulting in the loss of his body weight.

"We will never understand how someone could treat a helpless animal like this and deprive them of such basic necessities," SPCA Westchester Executive Director Shannon Laukhuf said. "We are just so grateful Mad Dog was rescued before it was too late."

Suspicions of animal cruelty or neglect can be reported on the SPCA Westchester’s Confidential Animal Cruelty Hotline at 914-941-7797.

SPCA Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit does not receive any government funding and is run solely on donations from the public. To support the SPCA’s HLE Unit, please visit spcawestchester.org.