SPCA: Riverhead woman charged in neglect of Rottweiler

The Suffolk County SPCA said the year-old Rottweiler was “severely underweight” after it was found living in “deplorable conditions” at a residence in Riverhead.

Now the dog’s owner, Claire Kim Shands, 28, of Riverhead, is scheduled to appear in Riverhead Town Justice Court on March 27, charged with animal cruelty, the SPCA said.

She was charged Wednesday, the SPCA said.

Authorities said Shands failed to “provide proper sustenance, including lack of food, water and a clean environment” for the dog, which was found living “in his own waste.”

SPCA Chief Roy Gross said that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk and authorities ask that anyone witnessing an incident of animal cruelty or neglect call them at 631-382-7722. All calls will remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”