On Wednesday, July 24, 2019, Suffolk County SPCA detectives charged an Amityville man with animal cruelty.

 

Mitchell Braithwaite, 58, of Amityville, was charged with neglecting his dog for failing to provide necessary veterinary care for Sandy, his 12 year old chow. Sandy's fur was severely matted causing an two-inch open wound on its hind area to fester, with tissue exposed that was covered with feces and live maggots.

 

The dog was removed by the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter.

 

Braithwaite is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on September 27, 2019.

  

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, or have any information about any of these cases, 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.