ASPCA: Queens Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty After Pit Bull Found 'Near Death'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Queens woman has been arrested for allegedly neglecting and starving her young pit bull.
Back in March, Humane Law Enforcement agents with the ASPCA were called to a home in the Richmond Hill section of Queens after someone reported a dog was tied to a tree with no food or water, officials said.
When officers arrived, the found a thin 1-year-old pit bull named Zellie collared with a padlock and tied to a tree on a short chain with no access to food or water in the back yard, according to the ASPCA.
Zellie's owner, Shakisha Codling, turned the pup over to the ASPCA and Zellie was taken to an animal hospital for treatment.
When vets first examined Zellie, officials said she weighed only 32.1 pounds.
"Veterinarians determined that Zellie was near death and if somebody hadn't been good enough to call, she could have died from her neglect," said Joe Pentangelo with the ASPCA.
But since then, Zellie has recovered. She gained 15 pounds in about three months and will soon be available for adoption.
Codling was arrested and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
If convicted, she faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
To report animal cruelty in New York City, contact the ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4450 or enforcement@aspca.org.
