New York: Ashaki Bryant, 40, charged with cruelty after starving her pit bulls

NEW YORK -- A deadly fight over rice between two emaciated pit bulls has led to animal cruelty charges against a Yonkers woman, authorities said.

Ashaki Bryant, 40, of 10 Stewart Place was charged Monday by the SPCA of Westchester with two counts of animal cruelty, accused of  failing to provide adequate food, water or veterinary care for a prolonged period of time to her two pit bull dogs.

Yonkers police were alerted on Jan. 3 that two pit bull dogs were fighting. One female and one male pit bull were then discovered fighting over rice in the backyard of Bryant’s home.

Both dogs were quickly transported by the Yonkers Animal Shelter for veterinary care. The male pit bull died of his injuries.

A veterinarian at Central Animal Hospital found the dogs to be dehydrated, emaciated and with various wounds and scars that were in different stages of healing, authorities said. Some were old wounds that were never treated properly and others were fresh.

The dogs’ spine and rib bones were very prominent, indicating both were malnourished, authorities said. The female pit bull was then transported to the Yonkers Animal Shelter after her medical treatment.

"It is heartbreaking to imagine the suffering these dogs endured without proper nourishment and care," said Shannon Laukhuf, SPCA of Westchester’s executive director. "Our Humane Law Enforcement Unit is vigilant in its mission to help animals like these through public education and enforcement of animal cruelty laws."

(The Journal News - Jan 15, 2016)