A Yonkers man is facing a felony aggravated-cruelty charge in the death of a dog named Kobe. The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, according to the Yonkers Times. The charge is an allegation, and Martinez is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court.
What investigators allege
The investigation began after Yonkers police and the SPCA Westchester Humane Law Enforcement Unit responded during the Fourth of July holiday period and found Kobe dead at a park near 350 Hawthorne Avenue. Reports by Patch and the Yonkers Times said the dog was attached to a fence, with no food or water nearby.
According to investigators as reported by Patch, Martinez, 37, of Yonkers, had taken Kobe from his residence the previous night and left him at the park after deciding he could no longer care for him. Investigators said he had not arranged for another person to assume responsibility for the dog or provide care.
Investigation and charge
Where Yonkers residents can seek help
For residents who can no longer care for a dog, the City of Yonkers identifies its animal shelter at 1000 Ridge Hill Boulevard. According to the City of Yonkers, the shelter is the city’s animal-care facility. The city lists the Yonkers Animal Shelter’s phone number as 914-377-6730 and its hours as 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Sunday, according to the City of Yonkers. Residents should contact the shelter for current guidance on available animal-care options.
Detective Specialists Makena Raffa and Frank Cimadomo conducted the investigation with the SPCA unit, led by director Ernest Lungaro. The Yonkers Times reported that Yonkers police and SPCA Westchester later arrested Martinez with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office.
Patch reported that temperatures had reached the high 90s during the period when Kobe was left without food, water or other basic care. Martinez remains presumed innocent as the felony case proceeds.
