The Suffolk County SPCA has charged a Brentwood resident with animal cruelty following an investigation into the abuse of a dog.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, announced that Dalila M Franco-Velez, 55, of Brentwood, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.
The charge arises from an October 2025 incident in which Franco-Velez struck a five-year-old male Pomeranian, named Stark, in the head with a cleaning mop. Stark sustained a traumatic brain injury and received treatment at a local animal hospital before being transferred to the Islip Town Animal Shelter, where he will be made available for adoption.
On November 6, 2025, SPCA detectives issued Franco-Velez a Field Appearance Ticket. She is scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on November 26, 2025.
The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.