Yonkers Woman Arrested After Dog Found Abandoned With Severe Neck Injuries

SPCA Westchester Seeks Publics Help In Identifying Person Who Dumped Dog

Last week, SPCA Westchester put out an urgent message to the public.

They were hoping getting fresh eyes on a months old case could help them identify a person who dumped a young dog near a Yonkers cemetery.

Back in November 2025, a woman was seen on video abandoning a puppy near 44 Saw Mill River Road in Yonkers in the area of Oakland Cemetery.

The puppy, who is now named Frankie, was found with sever injuries including "a deeply infected and painful laceration to his neck and throat." The laceration was deep it was exposing the puppy's underlying tissue.

$1,000 Reward Offered From SPCA Westchester for Information

Thankfully, the dedicated staff at the SPCA Westchester was able to get Frankie the help he needed before it was too late.

SPCA Westchester's Chief Exexutive Officer said in a statement "Without proper veterinary care, this sweet dog would have likely succumbed to his injuries." Along with Frankie's sever injuries, he was also deemed extremely underweight.

READ MORE: Abandoned Yonkers Dog Found Near Cemetery With Throat Wound

With that, the SPCA Westchester's Humane Law Enforcement Unit teamed up with the Yonkers Police Department to find out who abandoned Frankie.

The NYS Humane Association offered a $1,000 reward that lead to an arrest and conviction of those responsible.

There's been an update and a person has been identified.

Yonkers, New York Woman Arrested For Felony Animal Cruelty

SPCA Westchester announced on social media on January 22nd, 2026, that an arrest has been made in the case.

They say under the direction of Ernest Lungaro of the SPCA Westchester's humane Law Enforcement Unit and Detective Shania Jacobs of the Yonkers Police Department Detective Division they have arrested 60-year-old Anita Martin of Yonkers, New York.

Martin was charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty and abandonment. She is scheduled to appear in Yonkers Criminal Court on February 9th, 2026

SPCA Westchester explains "Thanks to local news coverage, a tip was received leading to the identification of Frankie’s owner, Anita Martin."

In a statement, Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said“Animal cruelty will not be tolerated here in Yonkers,” adding:

 “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."

As mentioned earlier Frankie was found just in time and is healing well. Shannon Laukhuf, SPCA Westchester's CEO, says "Fortunately, Frankie is healing well and will be placed up for adoption shortly at the SPCA’s Rescue Center in Briarcliff Manor."

SPCA Westchester urges the public to contact the SPCA's Confidential Cruelty Hotline at 914-941-7797 if you witness or suspect an animal is "being neglected or abused."