The Albany Police Department has arrested a 63-year-old Albany woman in a recent animal cruelty case. According to the Albany Police Department, a report was received regarding a male pit-bull mix that had to be euthanized around 5 p.m. on March 29, 2024. APD says the dog was suffering from starvation, severe emaciation, and other injuries consistent with animal cruelty.
The dog was euthanized to spare it from further suffering. APD says further investigation determined that the owner, Dawn Sabatino, had two other dogs in her care. A welfare check was carried out on April 3 at a home in the 400 block of Elk Street. Inside the residence, APD Special Operations unit investigators and members of Albany’s Animal Control unit found two female mixed breed dogs who were also suffering from being underweight and injuries.
The dogs were taken to the Mohawk Humane Society where they are still being treated. Sabatino was arrested on April 10, 2024. She is charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, three counts of Owning/Harboring Unlicensed Dog, and two counts of Torturing or Injuring Animals. Sabatino was released with an appearance ticket.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.