Kings Park Woman Abandoned 1-Year-Old Dog: Suffolk SPCA

KINGS PARK, NY — A Kings Park woman is facing animal cruelty and abandonment charges after she was accused of abandoning her 1-year-old dog, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced.

Hanchao Zhang, 37, was arrested after detectives said she left Cola, her labrador mix puppy, at Sunken Meadow State Park on Monday.

New York State Park Rangers told Suffolk SPCA detectives that they found the dog abandoned without food, water or shelter in a semi-wooded area of the park. A passerby had alerted rangers to Cola, who was without a collar, officials said. Cola was transported to the Smithtown Animal Shelter, unharmed, where he will be up for adoption shortly, detectives said.

Zhang was arrested after a "thorough investigation" by Suffolk SPCA detectives with the cooperation of New York State Park Police, New York State Park Rangers, and Smithtown Animal Control Officers, authorities said.

Zhang surrendered Tuesday at the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Precinct, where she was booked by SPCA detectives, officials said. Zhang was charged with abandonment and animal cruelty, the Suffolk SPCA said.

She is due in Suffolk County First District Court at 9 a.m. May 5.

"The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county," the agency wrote. "If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722."