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In January, the SPCA of Tompkins County filed charges against Christina Carpenter of Nob Hill Road in Newfield for starving one dog to death and surrendering the second to the SPCA in an emaciated state.

She pled guilty earlier this spring and has now been sentenced in the Newfield Town Court for two Class A misdemeanors under Section 353 of the Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New York for her failure to provide food, water and veterinary attention for the two dogs in her care.

One dog died of starvation as a result of this neglect and the other (Sheila) required extensive care and rehabilitation at the SPCA of Tompkins County Carpenter was ordered to serve 3 years of probation, during which time she is prohibited from owning any animals. She was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service at the SPCA of Tompkins County. 

During the sentencing, Justice Debbi Payne stated that she hoped the community service would allow Ms. Carpenter an opportunity to develop more compassion for companion animals and a better understanding of the care they require.

Executive director Jim Bouderau says “We were certainly glad that Sheila fully recovered, thanks in large part to her great foster parents. She has been adopted and is doing well in her new home. We are always saddened by cruelty and neglect cases – we receive as many as 1,500 reports of neglect, abuse, abandonment or suspected cruelty every year. A very small percentage of cases wind up in court or in the public eye, and we are glad that Carpenter will have an opportunity to learn something from her actions.”

If you suspect animal cruelty or abuse, please contact the SPCA of Tompkins County immediately at (607) 257-1822.

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