Dog Loses Leg, Yonkers Man Charged With Animal Cruelty

YONKERS, NY — A Westchester man faces an animal cruelty charge for allegedly neglecting his dog that had been injured. The SPCA of Westchester said its Humane Law Enforcement Unit, under the direction of Ernest Lungaro and Yonkers Police Officer William Pataky, arrested Michael Burguiere of Yonkers.

Authorities said a local animal hospital grew concerned with Burguiere’s toy poodle, now named Charlie Brown, was brought in with a fractured right leg in July 2017.

After the initial appointment, Burguiere was told he needed to follow up with the hospital to receive further veterinary care for his dog to make certain the leg would heal properly and to prevent infection. Authorities said he did not.

Over time, the staff at the animal hospital pleaded with Burguiere to bring his dog in for treatment and became increasingly concerned for the dog’s safety and well-being.

The humane law officers said that due to Burguiere’s disregard and neglect of the follow-up veterinary care for the dog’s leg, the splint and bandage became soiled with urine and embedded into the skin.

It was left on the leg for more than four months resulting in a serious infection.

Because of the untreated infection, Charlie Brown was seized by the humane law officers in January 2018 and was rushed to the SPCA’s animal care campus and clinic to receive emergency surgery.

The dog’s leg had to be amputated because it was too far gone to be saved.

“We’re very thankful to the animal hospital who reported Mr. Burguiere to our HLE Unit so that our officers could ensure Charlie Brown would receive the proper veterinary care he so desperately needed. Although his leg could not be saved, his life was and we are extremelly grateful that he is no longer suffering and in pain,” said Shannon Laukhuf, executive director of the SPCA of Westchester.

She said Charlie Brown was adopted by one of the organization’s volunteers.

If you suspect animal cruelty or neglect, call the police or the SPCA of Westchester’s Confidential Animal Cruelty Hotline at 914-941-7797.

The SPCA of Westchester is located at 590 North State Road in Briarcliff Manor.

Photo credit: SPCA of Westchester.