Police said Janelle Houghtaling, 23, Joyce Mainville, 47, and Keith Whitten, 24, all of Selkirk, are charged with abandoning the shih tzu found just south of Wemple Road Aug. 3.
They face misdemeanor animal-cruelty and abandonment of an animal charges.
Police said all three were allegedly involved with the maltreatment and abandonment of the dog.
Police had reported that they were looking for a white male between 25 and 35 years of age, about six feet tall with a medium build and black hair. The suspect was driving a blue Jeep.
The dog was estimated at 3 to 5 years old. It was severely malnourished, had cuts and bruises on its body, and its fur was so severely matted it had to be sedated to have the hair removed at a local veterinary hospital.
Houghtaling, Mainville and Whitten were released following their arrests and are to appear in Bethlehem Town Court Aug. 20 at 4 p.m.
(Times Union - Aug 9, 2013)
