Suspect In Video Arrested For Animal Abandonment: SPCA Westchester

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The woman seen in a security video abandoning a dog in a Westchester neighborhood has been caught, police said today.

SPCA Westchester announced on Wednesday that their Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE), under the direction of Ernest Lungaro, and with the assistance of the New Rochelle Police Department, arrested Marissa Levy and charged her with animal abandonment.

On June 11, a video captured a small Labrador Retriever puppy, now named Rosie, being dumped out of a car and onto Lotus Road in New Rochelle.

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After the video was posted on the SPCA’s social media pages, an anonymous tip was called into SPCA Westchester’s Confidential Animal Cruelty Hotline, identifying Levy as the woman in the video. She was arrested on Tuesday and issued a desk appearance ticket with a return date of July 9.

"We will never understand how someone could so callously abandon a defenseless animal and are so thankful that a good Samaritan acted swiftly and rescued Rosie," Shannon Laukhuf, SPCA Westchester’s CEO, said.

If Rosie had run into the street, she could have sustained serious injuries, or worse, officials said. Fortunately, Rosie is safe and has been adopted by the good Samaritan who found her.

If you witness or suspect an animal is being mistreated or neglected, call the SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at (914) 941-7797.

SPCA Westchester is a No-Kill Animal Rescue Center located in Briarcliff Manor and is not affiliated with any national animal welfare organizations. Learn more here.