Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | William Grady | | Defense(s): | Steven Patterson | | Judge(s): | Katherine Moloney, David Steinberg |
Images for this Case
Dog abandoned for a week in clothing donation bin
Hyde Park, NY (US)Incident Date: Monday, Sep 15, 2008
County: Dutchess
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 3 files available
Alleged: Gary Lee Rhodes
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
She was starved to skin and bones when a man emptying the charity clothing donation bin in Hyde Park in the parking lot of the Stop and Shop on St. Andrews Road found her. Dutchess County SPCA estimate she had been dumped in the bin a week before she was found on Monday and the weather had been in the 90s during the daytime for a week.
DCSPCA Humane Law Supervisor Jami Landry said, "It must have been like an oven for the dog trapped inside."
Someone had actually dumped her through the slot for clothes donations in the Dutchess County Volunteer Fireman's Association's metal donation bin. No food or water, in what amounts to an oven for a week.
They named the small yellow terrier mix female dog Sally, short for Salvation and estimate she's about 2 years old. She was severely emaciated and dehydrated and in spite of her condition, she was still friendly and wagged her tail when she was taken to the shelter for treatment.
Sally should weigh in the neighborhood of 36-39 lbs. She weighs only 16.
Humane officers say that when Sally was found, she was wearing a nylon collar with interwoven threads of orange, reflective silver and black. The collar was tied with a clothing line cord.
Right now Sally is staying with a foster family experienced in caring for dogs with special needs. She's being fed small amounts of food numerous times a day.
They were finally able to run blood tests to make sure there's no underlying reason for her condition, they needed to wait until Thursday because she was so extremely dehydrated when found.
Someone knows this dog and knows who did this to her and they are investigating. As for Sally, she will be cared for and loved and given attention. She is very needy right now, always wants to be with someone.
If anyone has any information about this dog, contact the DCSPCA Humane Law Department at 845-452-7722, ext. 104.
Case UpdatesThe man accused of dumping a dog in a clothing recycling bin could receive nine months for the crime.
Garry Lee Rhodes pleaded guilty on November 25th to abandonment of animals and cruelty to animals, both misdemeanors under state Agriculture and Markets law.
District Attorney William Grady said it was a surprise that Rhodes, 28, a former City of Poughkeepsie resident, changed his plea before Hyde Park town Justice David Steinberg.
When he had possession of the dog, her name was Lady, according to court documents.
Rhodes will be sentenced February 24th and will remain under electronic monitoring until then.
Grady said he will recommend Rhodes receive nine months in the Dutchess County Jail.
"If the court imposes that sentence, it will be one of the longest animal abuse sentences in the county," he said.
Rhodes left the yellow terrier mix dog now known as Sally in a clothing donation bin in a Hyde Park shopping center.
When rescued September 15th, she weighed only 16 pounds. Her normal weight should have been about 32 pounds.
Grady said he asked for the nine-month sentence because the dog's severely emaciated condition existed long before she was abandoned.
"Coupled with the egregious manner in which she was left in the Dumpster without food or water," he said, "that warrants he serve a substantial sentence in jail."
Sally lived with a foster family under the auspices of the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals while she was nursed back to health. | Source: Poughkeepsie Journal - Nov 27, 2008
Update posted on Dec 3, 2008 - 5:24PM |
The man accused of abandoning his malnourished dog in a clothing bin in Hyde Park pleaded not guilty Wednesday to an animal cruelty charge in City of Poughkeepsie court.
Garry Lee Rhodes, 28, dec-lined comment following his arraignment before city Judge Katherine Moloney.
The case was adjourned to Dec. 8. Rhodes, who faces similar charges in Hyde Park town court, was released on electronic monitoring.
Beacon-based attorney Steven Patterson was assigned to defend Rhodes on the city charge, which alleges he failed to provide proper sustenance and medical care to Sally, a terrier mix rescued Sept. 15 from a clothes donation bin in Hyde Park.
Patterson entered the not guilty plea on Rhodes' behalf.
Patterson, who said he has not had a chance to fully discuss the various charges with his client, also declined comment.
Rhodes was initially released on his own recognizance in the Hyde Park case.
But Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady said this week Rhodes gave a false address in the City of Poughkeepsie at his Oct. 7 arraignment. Hyde Park Justice David Steinberg on Tuesday ordered Rhodes be placed on electronic monitoring.
Rhodes told Moloney he is living with his mother in Pleasant Valley.
If Rhodes violates the terms of his house arrest release, he could be jailed on $10,000 bail.
Patterson said Rhodes could face up to two years in jail if convicted of all charges in the two cases.
Rhodes is due back in Hyde Park court Nov. 25. | Source: Poughkeepsie Journal - Oct 30, 2008
Update posted on Nov 2, 2008 - 9:32PM |
City of Poughkeepsie resident Gary Lee Rhodes is due in Hyde Park court for arraignment today on charges of one count each of torturing/not feeding an animal, abandonment of a disabled animal and neglect of an impounded animal, all misdemeanors in violation of state Agriculture and Markets Law.
Rhodes, 28, is accused of abandoning his dog in a clothing donation bin at a shopping center in Hyde Park last month.
When rescued Sept. 15 by Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Humane Law Enforcement officers, the dog, now named Sally, weighed 16 pounds and was extremely emaciated. | Source: Poughkeepsie Journal - Oct 7, 2008
Update posted on Oct 7, 2008 - 11:12PM |
References« NY State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Dutchess County, NY
|
