Long Island Woman Arrested After Dog Sealed In Dog House: Cops

GLEN COVE, NY — A Glen Cove woman was arrested on animal cruelty charges after police said they found a dirty, barking dog inside a sealed and squalid dog house in her backyard, with no access to light, food or water.

Police officers were sent Thursday to a Glen Cove Avenue home for a report of a barking dog. Officers heard a distressed dog barking and crying and could only reach the dog's owner after about 40 minutes, Glen Cove police said. They found the dog inside a dog house in the backyard. The front door of the dog house was blocked with plywood, and there was no light, food, or water inside, police said. Old feces covered the floor.

The dog appeared dirty and disorientated, police said. One of its eyes was also swollen shut. Police brought the animal to Glen Cove Shelter to be evaluated by a veterinarian. The veterinarian said the dog, Lassie, suffered from overgrown hair and nails, severe dental disease, four mammary tumors, and a corneal eye ulcer, police said.

Delia Banos, 60, was arrested Friday and charged with animal cruelty. She was released and scheduled to appear in court later this month. The dog remains under the animal shelter's care.