New Rochelle woman identified and arrested by SPCA Westchester for animal abandonment

The Westchester SPCA announced that its Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE), under the direction of Ernest Lungaro and with the assistance of the New Rochelle Police Department, arrested Marissa Levy and charged her with animal abandonment .

June 11^th video captured a small Labrador Retriever puppy, now named Rosie, thrown out of a car and onto Lotus Road in New Rochelle. The video was posted to the SPCA's social media pages and through an anonymous tip called through the SPCA Westchester's confidential animal cruelty hotline, Ms. Levy was identified. She was arrested on June 25^th and issued an appearance ticket to the office with a return date of July 9.

“We will never understand how someone could so cruelly abandon a defenseless animal and be so grateful that a good Samaritan acted quickly and saved Rosie,” said Shannon Laukhuf, executive director of the Westchester SPCA.

If Rosie had run into the street it could have ended very badly and she could have been seriously injured or worse. Luckily, Rosie is safe and was adopted by the Good Samaritan who found her. If you witness or suspect an animal being abused or neglected, please call the SPCA's Cruelty Hotline at (914) 941-7797.

Link to video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8moytpO2CD/?igsh=c3FtMTJzMTBibXk2

The Westchester SPCA is a no-kill animal rescue center located in Briarcliff Manor and is not affiliated with any national animal welfare organization. Learn more at spcawestchester.org.