Kings Park Woman Abandoned Dog On Road: Suffolk SPCA

KINGS PARK, NY — A Kings Park woman was charged with animal abandonment after she was accused of releasing a dog on the side of a road on Monday, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

Alana Piotrowski, 23, stopped her car and released a 1-year-old male pit bull dog on Hilden Street in Kings Park before driving off, SPCA detectives said. Piotrowski was taking care of the dog for his owner, Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, told Patch.

The dog was found by Smithtown Animal Control, which contacted the SPCA, Gross said. The dog has been returned, unharmed, to his owner, he said.

"Most people who have pets consider them family members," Gross said. "You need to do your due diligence to make sure the person you entrust your pet to, or your child, is the right person to take care of your pet. That should be the same message to people looking for someone to take care of their children."

Piotrowski was arrested and charged with animal abandonment, making a false statement and two counts of aggravated unlicensed operation; all misdemeanors.

Piotrowski is scheduled to be arraigned June 25 in First District Court, Central Islip.

Gross said that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. Anyone who witnesses an incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk is urged to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.

He also thanked the Smithtown Animal Shelter for making sure the dog was returned to his owner safely.