SPCA Westchester announced that their Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE), under the direction of Ernest Lungaro, and with the assistance of the New Rochelle Police Department, arrested Marissa Levy and charged her with animal abandonment.
On June 11th a video captured a small Labrador Retriever puppy, now named Rosie, being dumped out of a car and onto Lotus Road in New Rochelle. The video was posted on the SPCA’s social media pages and thanks to an anonymous tip called into SPCA Westchester’s Confidential Animal Cruelty Hotline, Ms. Levy was identified. She was arrested on June 25th and issued a desk appearance ticket with a return date of July 9th.
“We will never understand how someone could so callously abandon a defenseless animal and are so thankful that a Good Samaritan acted swiftly and rescued Rosie,” said Shannon Laukhuf, SPCA Westchester’s Chief Executive Officer.
Had Rosie run into the street, it could have ended very badly, and she could have sustained serious injuries, or worse. Fortunately, Rosie is safe and has been adopted by the Good Samaritan who found her. If you witness or suspect an animal is being mistreated or neglected, please call the SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at (914) 941-7797.
Link to Video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8moytpO2CD/?igsh=c3FtMTJzMTBibXk2
SPCA Westchester is a No-Kill Animal Rescue Center located in Briarcliff Manor and is NOT affiliated with any national animal welfare organizations. Learn more at spcawestchester.org.
