Target: Lee C. Kindlon, District Attorney, Albany County, New York
Goal: Fully prosecute allegations that a dog was abandoned outdoors in below-freezing temperatures without food, water, shelter, or any means of escape.
On Christmas Day, animal control officers reportedly found a mixed-breed dog tightly tied to an exterior fence in below-freezing temperatures. They say the animal had no food, water, or shelter and could not escape the freezing conditions. Officers removed the dog and arranged medical evaluation for exposure.
After a nine-month investigation, Albany police arrested 31-year-old Rashidah Hemingway and charged her with criminal abandonment of animals. Authorities allege that Hemingway was responsible for leaving the dog tied outside in the severe winter cold. She has not been convicted, and the allegation must be proven through the legal process.
The dog survived and was later adopted into a secure home, but survival should not erase the seriousness of the alleged abandonment. Prosecutors should thoroughly present available witness testimony, investigative records, weather data, ownership evidence, and any other admissible material establishing who allegedly left the dog outside. If the charge is proven, seek a penalty that meaningfully reflects the danger and suffering involved.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear District Attorney Kindlon,
A dog was allegedly discovered tied to an exterior fence on Christmas Day in below-freezing temperatures. The animal reportedly had no food, water, shelter, or ability to escape the cold and required medical evaluation after being rescued. Rashidah Hemingway has been charged with criminal abandonment of animals in connection with the case. Police allege that she was responsible for leaving the dog exposed to the freezing conditions.
Please pursue this case rigorously and present all relevant evidence needed for a fair resolution. If prosecutors prove the charge beyond the applicable legal standard, seek meaningful penalties proportionate to the danger inflicted. A dog allegedly left helpless in freezing weather deserves full legal accountability for any offense ultimately proven.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Wil Stewart
