Woman Admits Stealing $18K From Her Dog Rescue Organization

MOHEGAN LAKE, NY — A Yorktown woman admitted she stole thousands of dollars from a nonprofit dog rescue organization that she owned.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said Friday that Lisa Marie Birdsall, the owner of Recycled Paws Rescue in Mohegan Lake, pleaded guilty Wednesday to fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor.

Birdsall will also be required to pay full restitution for the money she stole to another organization that cares for animals.

Prosecutors said, between January 2020 and December 2020, Birdsall stole $17,956 from donations made to Recycled Paws Rescue for the care of animals. She used the money she stole for her own personal purposes, she admitted in court.

The SPCA of Westchester's Humane Law Enforcement Unit arrested the woman July 13, 2021, following a joint investigation with the district attorney's Economic Crimes Bureau.

Birdsale is scheduled to be sentenced March 22, 2023, Rocah's office said.