ALBANY, NY — A 34-year-old Albany woman is facing animal cruelty charges following an investigation into a dog found abandoned on a sidewalk.
Denyatta Mathis was arrested this afternoon by investigators from the Albany Police Department’s Special Operations Unit.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 around 12:30 p.m., Albany Police Department’s Animal Control responded to the area of Sherman Street and Ontario Street following a report of a dog found zipped inside a backpack and abandoned.
Upon arrival, Animal Control located a 5-year-old male mixed-breed Pomeranian.
Upon further investigation by the Special Operations Unit, it was discovered that the dog’s owner had placed the dog inside a backpack, zipped it closed, and left it without food, water or any means of escape in below-zero temperatures.
The dog was transported to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society for evaluation and medical treatment, where he is recovering in good condition.
Mathis has been charged with one count of Torturing or Injuring Animals and one count of Abandonment of Animals.
She was given an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Albany City Criminal Court on a later date.
