Mount Vernon, NY (May 8, 2013) Irema Johnson, 31, of 273 West Lincoln Ave., Mt. Vernon was charged with three counts of animal cruelty on May 7th after the SPCA of Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Division, assisted by Mt. Vernon Police, ascertained that she left two pit bull puppies and a kitten in her apartment with no food or water for over two months. Johnson said she left the animals in her apartment on Monday, February 11, 2013 and their carcasses were not discovered until Saturday, April 27th. “The puppies were left in a crate in the apartment with no food or water. The living area was filled with garbage and animal feces. The kitten was left loose in the apartment with no food or water as well. The animals subsequently died of starvation,” said Lungaro. “This is one of the most heinous acts of animal cruelty in my tenure at the SPCA of Westchester,” said Executive Director Shannon Laukhuf. “Dying from dehydration and starvation is a drawn-out and painful death.” There were other options Ms. Johnson could have taken such as calling an animal shelter or eliciting the help of family and friends in order to have prevented this terrible tragedy.” The SPCA urges anyone with information about animal abuse or neglect to call its confidential hotline at 914-941-7797.

5 Week Old Kitten Thrown from 3rd Floor of Building during Domestic Dispute

Yonkers, NY (April 9, 2013) A 5-week-old female kitten named Precious was rushed to Westchester Animal Hospital in Mount Vernon Sunday evening after being thrown from a 3rd floor window. The SPCA of Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Division was contacted by the City of Yonkers Police after they responded to a domestic dispute and found the injured kitten on the concrete sidewalk at 217 S. Waverly Street in Yonkers. According to Ernest Lungaro, Director of the SPCA’s HLE Division, the kitten sustained injuries after being thrown out the window, allegedly, by Craig Morejon, following an argument with his ex-girlfriend at her apartment which resulted in a domestic dispute and subsequently, the attack on her kitten. Dr. Jiao of Westchester Animal Hospital examined the kitten and found that her upper teeth went through the bottom of her mouth, due to the impact of the fall. However, it is suspected that she was able to right herself while falling, therefore, not sustaining any life threatening injuries. Morejon fled the scene before the Yonkers Police or the SPCA’s HLE division could question him and an arrest warrant has been issued on charges of assault and animal abuse. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Craig Morejon, they are asked to contact the SPCA’s confidential animal cruelty hotline at 914-941-7797 or the Yonkers Police at (914) 377-7777.

A HUGE thanks to our Walkathon and Pet Fair Sponsors and Supporters for making this years event such an overwhelming success!