Dog Left Tied To Fence Dies, Westchester Man Now Facing Felony Aggravated Cruelty to Animals Charges

YONKERS, NY — A cruel act of indifference has lead to felony charges against a Westchester man, according to police.

The Yonkers Police Department and SPCA Westchester Humane Law Enforcement have arrested a 37-year-old Yonkers man in connection with an investigation into the death of "Kobe," a dog who was abandoned, tied to a park fence, and left to die.

On July 4, Yonkers police officers went a park on Hawthorne Avenue and began investigating an animal cruelty incident after Kobe was found dead, still tied to the fence where he had been abandoned. Temperatures during that period had climbed into the high 90s, and Kobe was found without access to food or water, investigators said.

The investigation was taken over by Detective Specialists Makena Raffa and Frank Cimadomo, working in conjunction with the SPCA of Westchester Humane Law Enforcement Unit, under the direction of Director Ernest Lungaro.

Detectives identified 37-year-old Daniel Martinez, of Yonkers, as the person responsible for abandoning Kobe.

Investigators found evidence that Martinez had taken Kobe from his home the previous evening, tied him to the fence, and walked away.

Martinez later acknowledged that he left Kobe there because he could no longer keep him, according to detectives. Investigators say that, despite his initial claims, no arrangements had been made for another person to take possession of or care for Kobe.

On August 27, Detectives Raffa and Cimadomo, members of the Yonkers Police Department's 3rd Precinct, and Director Lungaro placed Martinez under arrest. With the assistance of the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, Martinez was charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals.

“Our four-legged friends rely on us to protect them, advocate for them, and keep them safe, and I am sickened by the heartless conduct the defendant is accused of in this case," Westchester District Attorney Susan Cacace said in a statement. "Poor Kobe was allegedly abandoned by the very person he depended on for his care and left helpless, tied to a fence without food, water, or shelter, where he tragically died alone after being exposed to extreme heat and direct sunlight for about 15 hours. Kobe deserved better."

The DA said the investigation that led to the arrest speaks volumes.

"Animal abuse and neglect will not be tolerated in our community, and I applaud the Yonkers Police Department and the SPCA for their diligent work alongside my office’s Animal Cruelty Coordinator to investigate this case," she said. "My office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to seek justice for innocent animals who cannot speak for themselves.”