NY Man Abandons Dog in a Clothing Donation Bin

Gary Lee Rhodes, 28, is accused of abandoning his dog, a terrier mix, in a clothing donation bin at a shopping center in Hyde Park in September 2008.  He claimed she was emaciated before he dumped her.  


A man emptying the charity clothing donation bin in the parking lot of the Stop and Shop on St. Andrews Road found her and contacted the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Humane Law Enforcement Office.



The dog, now named Sally, weighed 16 pounds and was extremely emaciated and dehydrated.


Dutchess County SPCA estimate she had been dumped in the bin a week before she was found on Monday and the weather had been in the 90s during the daytime for a week (in Sept. 2008).  They estimate she's about 2 years old. In spite of her condition, she was still friendly and wagged her tail when she was taken to the shelter for treatment.

DCSPCA Humane Law Supervisor Jami Landry said, "It must have been like an oven for the dog trapped inside."

Gary Lee Rhodes was charged with one count each of torturing/not feeding an animal, abandonment of a disabled animal and neglect of an impounded animal, all misdemeanors in violation of state Agriculture and Markets Law.


Rhodes gave a false address in the City of Poughkeepsie at his Oct. 7 arraignment. Hyde Park Justice David Steinberg on Tuesday ordered Rhodes be placed on electronic monitoring.



Garry Lee Rhodes pleaded guilty on November 25th to abandonment of animals and cruelty to animals, both misdemeanors under state Agriculture and Markets law.



Rhodes told Moloney he is living with his mother in Pleasant Valley.

If Rhodes violates the terms of his house arrest release, he could be jailed on $10,000 bail.

Patterson said Rhodes could face up to two years in jail if convicted of all charges in the two cases.



His sentencing is scheduled for Feb 24, 2009.


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