Suspect Arrested After Abused Dog Found Abandoned In Cemetery With Sliced Neck: SPCA Westchester

YONKERS, NY — The woman who abandoned a neglected dog with serious injuries has been caught, police said today.

SPCA Westchester announced on Thursday that their Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE), under the direction of Ernest Lungaro, in collaboration with Detective Shaina Jacobs of the Yonkers Police Department Detective Division, arrested 60-year-old Anita Martin, of Yonkers, and charged her with felony aggravated animal cruelty and abandonment.

"Animal cruelty will not be tolerated here in Yonkers," Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said. "This arrest reflects the strong partnership between our department and SPCA Westchester's Humane Law Enforcement Unit, working together with our community to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

Last week, the SPCA Westchester's HLE Unit shared a video and photo of an unidentified person of interest walking an injured dog in November of 2025.

SEE ALSO: Reward Offered After Dog Found Abandoned With 'Deeply Infected And Painful' Neck Laceration

Shortly after they were filmed them together, the one-year-old dog, now named "Frankie," was abandoned on Saw Mill River Road, near the Oakland Cemetery, with a deeply infected and painful laceration to his neck and throat, largely exposing his underlying tissue, according to law enforcement.

Frankie's injuries required a two-hour-long emergency surgery at a local veterinary hospital, officials said.

The SPCA says that after local media coverage, they received a tip leading to the identification of Martin, who was Frankie's owner.

"We are very grateful that Frankie's case was shared by the media so that the person responsible for this blatant act of cruelty could be quickly located and arrested," said Shannon Laukhuf, SPCA Westchester's CEO. "Fortunately, Frankie is healing well and will be placed up for adoption shortly at the SPCA's Rescue Center in Briarcliff Manor.”

Martin is scheduled to appear in Yonkers Criminal Court on February 9th.

"As a dog owner and animal lover, I find these cases to be especially heartbreaking. It never ceases to amaze me the depths of depravity some people fall to when it comes to abusing our four-legged friends," Westchester DA Susan Cacace said. "I am thankful for the great work of the SPCA and the Yonkers Police Department on this investigation and will be honored to fulfill our duty as prosecutors to bring this case to justice."

If you witness or suspect an animal is being neglected or abused, you can call the SPCA's Confidential Cruelty Hotline at (914) 941-7797.