Medford man charged with cruelty in dogs' starving

A Medford man was arrested Wednesday on animal cruelty charges after he allegedly allowed two pit bulls to starve to death in the back yard of his home, officials said.

Sean Russ, 39, of 55 Barbara Lane, was charged by detectives with the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals with two counts of aggravated animal cruelty, the SPCA said in a news release. He was released on his own recognizance Wednesday after making a court appearance.

Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross said his officers responded to the home on Nov. 16 "after receiving a tip from the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter."

Gross said "the officers found the two dogs severely emaciated" and "the dogs were already dead. Bowls were found in the yard with leaves and debris in them."

A necropsy determined the dogs suffered from chronic malnutrition and neglect, Gross said.

The SPCA described one dog as a young male, about 3 years old and 33 pounds, and the other was a male puppy about 4 months old and 141/2 pounds.

Gross said the charges are felony counts, punishable upon conviction by fines and up to 2 years imprisonment.

"It's heartbreaking," Gross said. "If you don't want the animals there are so many other options . . . These dogs were severely neglected, both dogs starved to death."