New York: McKayla Schoner, 26, accused of leaving her pit bull to suffer with severe skin issues, open wounds, a flea infestation, and severe hair loss

NEW YORK -- A Steuben County Sheriff's Office investigation into an animal cruelty allegation led to the arrest of a Painted Post woman last Wednesday.

McKayla S. Schoner, 26, of East High Street, was charged with one count of over driving, torturing or/and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance.

An investigation began on Sept. 22, when deputy sheriffs received an anonymous complaint that Schoner was in the possession of a black and white male pit bull which had a severe skin issue with open wounds.

Deputies responded and spoke with Schooner and observed the dog, which did appear to have a serious skin irritation that left self-mutilation wounds from scratching, a flea infestation, and severe hair loss.

Deputies filed for a search warrant to seize the dog, and turned him over to the care of the Finger Lakes SPCA for immediate medical treatment and examination by a veterinarian.

After a month long investigation, Schoner was arrested on Wednesday and transported to the Steuben County Sheriff's Office, where she was processed and issued an appearance ticket to return to Village of Painted Post Court on Dec. 6.

The Steuben County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Finger Lakes SPCA and the Village of Painted Post Police Department during the investigation.

Now that cold winter weather has returned, the Sheriff's Office is advising pet owners to provide shelter to dogs that are outdoors for extended periods of time. Shelters should be water and wind resistant, properly insulated, and an appropriate size for the animal to be housed. They also reminded that pets must be fed at least twice a day, and have consistent access to water that isn't frozen. Those in violation of the law may be subject to criminal action to prevent animal abuse in Steuben County.

If any member of the public that is aware of any incident of animal cruelty in need of investigation, should contact the Sheriff's Office Animal Cruelty Deputy at 607-622-3911 or make an anonymous tip through the Sheriff's Office website at www.steubencounty.org/Sheriff.

(Hornell Evening Tribune - ‎Nov 22, 2016)