SPCA: Dog Starved and Forced to Live in Own Waste by Riverhead Woman

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Claire Kim Shands, 28, was charged with animal cruelty, officials report.

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Claire Kim Shands of Riverhead, 28, was charged with animal cruelty by the Suffolk SPCA.

Photo by: Suffolk County SPCA

Riverhead, NY - March 1, 2018 - On February 12, 2018, Suffolk County SPCA detectives charged a Riverhead woman with animal cruelty.
 
SPCA Detectives responded to a complaint received from Riverhead Animal Control about a neglected dog. The severely underweight, year old male rottweiler was found living in deplorable conditions in his own waste. 
 
Claire Kim Shands, 28, was charged with  misdemeanor animal cruelty by the Suffolk County S.P.C.A. for failure to provide proper sustenance including lack of food, water and a clean environment.
 
Shands will be arraigned in Riverhead Justice Court on March 27, 2018.
 
If convicted, Shands will be required by law to register with the Suffolk County Animal Abuse Registry. Each person registered in the registry shall remain on the Animal Abuse Registry for five years following their release and must notify of any change of residence.
 
Chief Gross said that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.
 
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.