Annisa John was arrested Wednesday at her Thorne Avenue home.
Investigators went to the 39-year-old’s home after receiving a tip that there was a neglected dog on the property, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.
The small white dog, named Snoopy, was underweight and infested with fleas, prosecutors said.
He also had a severe wound on his leg that a veterinarian estimated would’ve taken at least a month to form, prosecutors said.
"The dog’s left rear leg was suffering an open, infected wound that went down to the bone with blood and flesh visible and a rotting stench,” Rice said in a press release. “The wound was caused by a band of severely matted fur that tightly wrapped around the dog’s leg, encompassing its entire foot.”
Snoopy’s right eye was also swollen shut and surrounded by matted fur and filth. The dog also had large bald spots on its body and severe matting to its hindquarters, prosecutors said.
“Pet owners have a moral and legal obligation to care for their animals,” Rice said. “It is shocking that a person could watch their pet suffer such pain and neglect, and do nothing about it.”
John permanently gave up her rights to the dog at the scene, prosecutors said.
Snoopy is now being cared for at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. He is expected to be put up for adoption at a later date.
John is charged with overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide proper sustenance.
She faces up to a year in jail if convicted. John is due back in court on October 1.
(CBS Local - Sept 7, 2012)
