The SPCA of Westchester announced today that their Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE), under the direction of Ernest Lungaro and Yonkers Police Officer William Pataky, in a joint investigation, arrested Michael Burguiere of Yonkers. Burguiere has been charged with animal cruelty.
A local animal hospital grew very concerned when Mr. Burguiere’s toy poodle, now named Charlie Brown, was brought in with a fractured right leg in July of 2017. After the initial appointment, Burguiere was told he needed to follow up with the animal hospital to receive further veterinary care for his dog to ensure the leg would heal properly and to prevent infection. Unfortunately, he did not.
Over the ensuing months the animal hospital staff pleaded with Burguiere to bring his dog in for further treatment and became increasing concerned for the dog’s safety and well-being. Due to Burguiere’s blatant disregard and neglect of the follow up veterinary care needed for Charlie’s Brown fractured leg, the splint and bandage became soiled with urine and embedded into the skin. It was left on the leg for over 4 months resulting in a serious infection. Due to the untreated infection, Charlie Brown was seized by the SPCA’s HLE Unit in January of 2018 and had to be rushed to the SPCA’s animal care campus and clinic to receive emergency surgery. Sadly, his leg had to be amputated—it was too far gone to be saved.
Click here to read more about Charlie Brown and see his video.
If you suspect animal cruelty or neglect, the SPCA of Westchester’s Confidential Animal Cruelty Hotline at 914-941-7797 or Putnam SPCA 845-520-6915.
Westchester SPCA www.spca914.org
Putnam SPCA www.spcaputnam.org