Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that a Yonkers woman was indicted on multiple animal cruelty charges after she allegedly tied a 1-year-old dog to a gate for hours at Saint John’s Cemetery last November.
Anita Martin, 60, was arraigned Wednesday on an indictment charging her with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a class E felony, Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance, a class A misdemeanor, and Abandonment of Animals, an unclassified misdemeanor. Following her arraignment, Martin was released on her own recognizance as none of the charges are bail eligible. She is due back in court on Aug. 26, 2026.
DA Cacace said: “When victims cannot speak for themselves, my office will always be there to speak for them. The victim in this case, a 1-year-old dog named Frankie, was given a far crueler upbringing than what was owed to him. Through today’s charges, we will seek to ensure that Ms. Martin is held accountable for her conduct toward this helpless creature. I am also pleased to announce that Frankie has since been adopted into a new home, where he will be showered with the love and care missing from the first year of his life.”
According to charging documents and a veterinarian’s deposition filed with the local court, on Nov. 21, Martin left a 1-year-old dog named Frankie tied to a gate at Saint John’s Cemetery, in Yonkers. For over three hours, Frankie was abandoned without food or water.
Eventually, Frankie was discovered by a good Samaritan, who phoned the police. During a subsequent medical examination, a veterinarian determined that Frankie was a 1-year-old, male mastiff-mix.
Frankie was found to have a very large and severe wound on his neck, measuring 22 centimeters long and 4 centimeters deep, according to the veterinarian’s deposition. This gash exposed all of Frankie’s underlying tissue; it produced a foul odor, was badly infected and had pus and drainage present, the veterinarian found.
Frankie was also found to have been extremely underweight and emaciated, with his ribs clearly visible, indicating he had not been receiving proper nutrition for an extended period of time. A complex surgery was performed lasting two hours.
Amid these challenges, Frankie has retained a “remarkably sweet and loving” demeanor, according to the veterinarian.
“He becomes excited as soon as he sees anyone approaching,” the veterinarian notes. “He enjoys affection, seeks out attention and happily gives kisses to me and the staff. Despite the severity of his injuries and the neglect he suffered, he remains extremely gentle, trusting and affectionate.”
The investigation was conducted by SPCA Westchester and the Yonkers Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Animal Cruelty Coordinator Alexander Shapiro.