Yonkers Woman Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty Charges after Dog Found Abandoned with Gash on Neck

October 15, 2026

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that a Yonkers woman pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges after abandoning her 1-year-old dog, who was left tied to a gate for hours and later found with a severe gash on his neck.

The defendant, Anita Martin, 60, pleaded guilty Wednesday before Judge Melissa Loehr in Westchester County Court to Overdriving, Torturing, and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance, a class A misdemeanor, and Abandonment of Animals, an unclassified misdemeanor.

Both charges are covered under New York State’s Agriculture and Markets Law, as the state’s Penal Law does not contain applicable provisions addressing these types of animal cruelty offenses.

The defendant is expected to be sentenced to three years of probation on Jan. 13, 2027. She will also be required to complete 20 hours of community service, pay $1,618.50 in restitution to the Yonkers Animal Shelter, and be listed on the Animal Abuse Registry.

DA Cacace said: “The cruelty Anita Martin inflicted on Frankie, a defenseless 1-year-old mastiff mix, is reprehensible. Today’s plea ensures that Ms. Martin will be placed on the Animal Abuse Registry, prohibiting her from owning, caring for, or having contact with animals. She must also reimburse the cost of Frankie’s care to the Yonkers Animal Shelter, which treated him after being abandoned, and remain under probation supervision for three years. My office is committed to doing all we can to ensure the health and safety of our precious pets, and that includes using every resource to work with our partners across all levels of government to strengthen our animal cruelty laws and expand the legal tools available so the penalties reflect the severity of these offenses. We are grateful Frankie has recovered from his injuries and is now in a loving home.”

On Nov. 21, 2025, at approximately 12:57 a.m., the defendant abandoned her dog Frankie, a 1-year-old mastiff-mix, and left him tied to a gate at Saint John’s Cemetery in Yonkers without food or water for more than three hours. A good Samaritan later found Frankie and alerted police.

During a subsequent medical examination, a veterinarian determined that Frankie had a wound on his neck measuring 22 centimeters long and 4 centimeters deep, according to the veterinarian’s deposition. The gash exposed the underlying tissue and was severely infected, with pus and a foul odor present.

Frankie was also found to be severely underweight and emaciated, with his ribs clearly visible, indicating prolonged inadequate nutrition. He subsequently underwent a complex, two-hour surgery to treat his injuries.

Despite these challenges, Frankie retained a “remarkably sweet and loving” demeanor, according to the veterinarian. And it wasn’t long before he was adopted by a loving family.

The Yonkers Police Department and SPCA Westchester conducted the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney and Animal Cruelty Coordinator Alexander Shapiro.

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