Woman arrested, accused of abandoning matted dog covered with sores in Valhalla

VALHALLA (WABC) -- A North White Plains woman has been arrested in a case of pet abuse that Valhalla animal care workers called one of the worst cases of neglect they'd ever seen.

Now Roxy, a dog found with sores on her body and hair matted over her eyes and ears, has a new lease on life after being cleaned up and adopted.

The SPCA of Westchester announced Wednesday that 51-year-old Jean Regan has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and abandonment of an animal after she was identified via surveillance video from the Valhalla Animal Hospital, where she allegedly dumped the dog on June 18.

"We are very grateful that the person who neglected Roxy to such a degree, and then abandoned her, has been identified and arrested," SPCA of Westchester Executive Director Shannon Laukhuf said. "e were thrilled to learn that she has already been adopted into a loving home. There are many deserving animals who could use a second chance like this, which is why we appreciate everyone who adopts a shelter animal."

Roxy is a healthy-looking dog today, but she was barely recognizable through overgrown fur just a few weeks ago.

Rocco Foglia found the purebred schnauzer tied to a bench outside the animal hospital.

"You could barely tell whether it was a dog, cat, looked like a big fuzzball," he said. "It's just disgusting. Absolutely criminal."

The surveillance video showed a minivan pulling into the parking lot around 6:30 a.m., and a woman believed to be Regan opening the passenger side door and taking the dog out on her leash.

The SPCA and a groomer were contacted, and there was additional concern over the area around the dog's neck where a battery-powered bark collar had been attached.

"It was in horrific pain because this had zapped it so many times that there was no skin left," groomer Katrina Wright said. "It was just raw and bleeding."

Roxy's coat was so severely matted that she had to be sedated while a veterinarian shaved away several pounds of fur.

"This was probably the worst neglected case that I have personally seen," vet John Credaroli said

But the story ends happy, with Sue Ranellone adopting the dog and naming her.

"Whoever did it, I can't understand why, because she's the best dog," she said. "She sits. She stays when you say stay. She never makes a mistake in the house. She's a great dog."