An Amityville woman has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly dumping two abused puppies in Riverhead on Dec. 18, according to the Suffolk County SPCA.
One of the puppies has since died. "He had to be kept on intravenous fluids because he was too weak to eat, but, unfortunately, he did not survive," said Chief Roy Gross.
According to the Suffolk County SPCA, Swaneka P.J. Danzler, 21, the owner of the puppies, admitted to SPCA officers that she dumped the puppies at 1 a.m. at the Riverhead Animal Hospital. Danzler allegedly told the Suffolk County SPCA that she believed the veterinary hospital was open 24/7 and that's why she left the dogs there.
The Suffolk County SPCA initially offered a $2000 reward -- which was increased to $3000 after one puppy died -- for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for dumping the two pit bull puppies at the Riverhead Animal Hospital.
According to Gross, the agency was contacted with a report that someone had dumped the puppies on Dec. 18, possibly between midnight and daybreak in a six-foot deep window well.
The puppies had severe mange and were near death when found. Gross said the mange was so severe on the male that the dog's skin was peeling off; the puppies were said to need require extensive veterinary care before they could be adopted.
"This is a blatant act of cruelty and abandonment and we will do everthing we can to see that those responsible are apprehended," Gross said at the time.
Steve Laton of the SPCA credited the diligent work of SPCA officers in apprehending the suspect. He added that the dogs were seriously neglected and needed veterinary care before being abandoned.
Danzler was issued a field appearance ticket and will be arraigned at the end of the month at Riverhead justice court.
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