Humane Law Enforcement
REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY ON OUR CONFIDENTIAL HOTLINE:
(914) 941-7797
The mission of the Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Unit of SPCA Westchester is to protect the animals in Westchester County from cruelty and neglect through the aggressive and proactive enforcement of New York State Law and to educate citizens so that ignorance does not result in neglect.
SPCA Westchester’s HLE Officers are certified NYS Peace Officers given “full Police power” through the NYS Criminal Procedure Law and Agriculture and Markets Law. These officers are empowered to enforce all the laws of New York State and specifically those relating to animal cruelty. They are not animal control officers. They are trained in accordance with the requirements as set forth by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Officers of the SPCA participate in Humane Education classes in schools throughout the county, educating young people about animal cruelty, neglect. Officers are also available to make presentations to groups, schools, etc. on a variety of topics. Should your group or school wish to schedule a presentation, please call (914) 941-2896 ext. 126.
The SPCA’s HLE Unit does not receive any government funding, therefore, donations to support this lifesaving service is critical.
In the News:
2024:
- News12: Bedford Founder of Rescue Right/Owner of Northwind Kennels charged with 5 counts of animal cruelty – July 2024
- NBC 4: Woman arrested after abandoning a puppy in New Rochelle – June 2024
- ABC 7: SPCA Rescues over 40 terrified cats living in filth and garbage from horrific hoarding situation – February 2024
2023:
- SPCA’s HLE Unit Rescues 11 Dogs from Filthy, Cramped Cages in a Van – April 2023
- People Magazine: SPCA Rescues over 150 Cats from Horrific Hoarding House – February 2023
- SPCA Arrests Mount Vernon Man for Nearly Starving Dog to Death – February 2023
- News12: Man Arrested in Yonkers for Throwing Dog – January 2023
2022:
- ABC 7: Man Arrested by SPCA for Abusing Kitten – May 2022
- The Patch: Pit Bull Rescued by SPCA After Nearly Starving to Death – May 2022
- News12: SPCA Arrests Elmsford Veterinarian for Animal Cruelty – April 2022
- NBC 4: Recycled Paws Rescue Founder Pleads Guilty after SPCA Arrest – April 2022
2021:
- ABC 7: Pet World in Yonkers Shut Down – August 2021
- NBC 4: SPCA Arrests Recycled Paws Rescue Founder for Stealing Donations Meant for Dogs – July 2021
- ABC 7: Chihuahua Rescued in Sealed Container Trapped in Garbage Bag – May 2021
- Fox 5: Man Caught on Camera Beating Dog Arrested – May 2021
- The Daily Voice: Yonkers Man Arrested for Nearly Starving Dog to Death – May 2021
2019:
- The NY Daily News: Pound Ridge Man Arrested for Severe Abuse of Family Dog – December 2019
- The Examiner News: White Plains Woman Arrested for Throwing Cat Down 19th Floor Trash Chute – June 2019
- The Daily Voice: Yonkers Man Arrest for Abandonment and Neglect – June 2019
- News12: Mohegan Lake Woman Arrested for Starving Dog – May 2019
- News12: Ossining Man Arrested for Kicking Dog on Camera – February 2019
2018:
- ABC 7: Puppy Caught on Camera Being Abused Gets Adopted – May 2018
- ABC 7: Caught on Camera-Woman Arrested for Choking and Throwing Puppy – May 2018
- News12 Westchester: Yonkers Man Charged in Toy Poodle Cruelty Case – February 2018
- The Daily Voice: Man Arrested for Throwing Dog Down 2 Flights of Stairs in Yonkers – January 2018
2017:
- NY Daily News: Yonkers Man Arrest for Stabbing Pitbull-September 2017
- People Magazine: Neglected Cat Abandoned in Parking Lot-April 2017
- NBC News: 3 Dogs Starved to Death in Mount Vernon-April 2017
- NBC News: Yonkers Police and the SPCA Combating Animal Cruelty-January 2017
- USA Today: Yonkers Officer Adopts Kitten from SPCA Cruelty Case-January 2017
2016:
- The Daily Voice-Yonkers Woman Arrested for Starving Dog-November 2016
- The Daily Voice-Yonkers Man Arrested for Emaciated Dog-October 2016
- The Patch-Mount Vernon Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty-8 Dogs-August 2016
- The Patch-Yonkers Man Arrested after Starving Pets Left in Condemned Building-July 2016
- The Journal News-Yonkers Woman Arrested After Deadly Dog Fight-January 2016
2015:
- The Journal News-Yonkers Man Charged with Abusing 2 Pitbulls-October 2015
- NBC News-10 Snakes Seized from Peekskill Home-September 2015
- News12 Westchester-Woman Charged with Dog Abandonment and Abuse-July 2015
- The Patch-Over 35 Reptiles Seized from home in Port Chester-July 2015
- Examiner-Buchanan Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty of 7 Pit Bulls-June 2015
2014:
- NBC News-Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty in Yonkers Cat Case-November 2014
- CBS News-Dead Cats Found Hanging in Tree, Yonkers-April 2014
- ABC News-Westie Mix Abandoned on Side of the Road, Bronxville-April 2014
- The Journal News-Yonkers Woman Charged with Animal Cruelty-April 2014
- ABC News-Beaten Puppy Recovering at SPCA of Westchester-February 2014
We Do What We Do Because Animals Can’t Dial 911!
SPCA Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit serves the entire county including: Yonkers, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Harrison, Mount Vernon, Pelham, New Rochelle, Eastchester, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Scarsdale, Ardsley, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, Ossining, Briarcliff Manor, White Plains, Harrison, Rye, Port Chester, Greenburgh, Elmsford, Armonk, Purchase, Somers, North Salem, South Salem, Katonah, Cross River, Pleasantville, Chappaqua, Peekskill, Croton, Cortlandt Manor, Yorktown Heights, Mount Kisco, Bedford and Pound Ridge