L.I. Woman Accused Of Starving Dog

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- A Long Island woman has been arrested on animal cruelty charges for allegedly starving and neglecting her 2-year-old Great Dane.

Prosecutors said even surgery and 10-day veterinarian round-the-clock care couldn't save him.

Rose Neira of Farmingdale pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of torturing and injuring an animal and failing to provide it with proper sustenance. If convicted, she faces up to a year in jail. She was released without bail.

Nassau County prosecutors said when investigators found Zack on Nov. 22, the great Dane weighed 82 pounds with protruding ribs and backbone. Healthy great Danes weight an average 135 pounds. He died on Wednesday.

Neira was represented by a Legal Aid attorney.

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