Disturbing Animal Abuse Increase in the HV This Year

While so many Hudson Valley residents are showering their pets with love this holiday season, authorities are still seeing a disturbing increase in one particular type of animal abuse. Another man has been arrested and a wonderful dog has been rescued after detective work paid of in Putnam County, NY.

Rise in Animal Abuse in the Hudson Valley

Holidays can cause some unexpected issues, specifically surrounding pets. Just as the public is warned against gifting actual bunnies for Easter (many will end up uncared for or surrendered to local animal shelters), the same is true for animals used as winter holiday presents. The current issue, however, deals with animal abuse all year long.

Animal Abandonment in Putnam County, NY

A Putnam County man was recently arrested for animal abandonment, a crime that authorities say is unfortunately on the rise. "We’ve seen an increase this year in animal abandonments. It is a crime taken seriously and we will conduct a criminal investigation and ultimately arrest the individual who abandoned the animal", said the chief of the Putnam County SPCA (PSPCA). It was the PSPCA's detective work that brought this recent alleged animal abuser to justice.

Meet Lucas

Lucas (above), described as a 7-year-old hound mix, was found abandoned and tied to a pole in Carmel, NY. From the PSPCA:

A suspect was developed by SPCA detectives using microchip information, an eye witness account, and a surveillance video that was retrieved from the area

Juan Rosa was named as a suspect in the case, and turned himself after being contacted by the PSPCA. If found guilty, Rosa faces up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.