A Yonkers woman is facing serious animal cruelty charges after prosecutors say she left a gravely injured dog tied to a cemetery gate for hours, then walked away. On Wednesday, July 15, 60-year-old Anita Martin was arraigned on felony and misdemeanor counts involving the dog, later named Frankie, who was found with a severe, infected neck wound that required emergency surgery. Martin was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court on Aug. 26.
Arraignment and Charges
According to Daily Voice, Martin was formally charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, failure to provide proper sustenance and abandonment. The Westchester County District Attorney's Office says the case traces back to Nov. 21, 2025, when Frankie was discovered at a Yonkers cemetery. Prosecutors noted the charges are not bail-eligible under New York law, which is why Martin was released while the case moves forward.
How Investigators Say Frankie Was Left
Investigators told Patch that a passerby spotted Frankie tied to a gate at Saint John's Cemetery, where he had reportedly been left for more than three hours. SPCA Westchester's Humane Law Enforcement Unit teamed up with the Yonkers Police Department to investigate, reviewing surveillance video and fielding public tips. Officials said the combination of footage and community responses helped them identify the dog's owner.
Extent of Injuries and Emergency Care
Charging documents and a veterinarian's deposition describe a grim scene, reporting that Frankie had a neck wound about 22 centimeters long and 4 centimeters deep that exposed underlying tissue, was badly infected and filled with pus and drainage. He was also emaciated, Yonkers Times reports. Veterinarians performed a complex, two-hour surgery to repair the damage. Staff later described Frankie as "remarkably sweet and loving" despite everything he had been through, and animal-welfare officials said the condition of the wound suggested prolonged neglect.
Charges, Prosecution and Possible Penalties
The prosecution is being led by Assistant District Attorney Alexander Shapiro, the DA's animal-cruelty coordinator, according to Patch. Under New York law, aggravated animal cruelty can carry a sentence of up to two years in prison, while abandonment can bring up to one year behind bars and potential fines, as reported by CBS New York. Prosecutors say the range of charges reflects the gravity of the alleged abuse and credited community tips with helping them build the case.
Frankie's Recovery and Next Steps
SPCA Westchester and Yonkers police arranged immediate medical help for Frankie, who pulled through surgery and began to recover. The District Attorney's Office said he has since been adopted into a new home, according to Daily Voice. Officials are still asking anyone who might know more about how Frankie was injured or abandoned to contact SPCA Westchester's cruelty hotline. Martin has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to Yonkers Criminal Court on Aug. 26 as the case continues through the local justice system.
