RI Woman Accused Of Abusing, Neglecting Elderly Dog To Death

PAWTUCKET, RI — A Pawtucket woman was accused of abusing her 16-year-old pet poodle after getting arrested in March, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Thursday. Prosecutors said the elderly dog later died from abuse and neglect.

On May 12, Neronha's office charged Dawn Abbenante, 57, with unnecessary cruelty to animals, death resulting, and failure to provide a dog with adequate veterinary care.

On March 14, Ocean State Veterinary Services (OSVS) called the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) about a dead poodle named Diamond that was brought in for cremation.

Prosecutors said OSVS staff told them Diamond was in "an extreme state of neglect" before her death. According to prosecutors, she suffered from large abdominal tumors, significant hair loss and matting, overgrown nails, and was covered in fecal matter.

Prosecutors said Diamond was brought in for cremation by Abbenante's son's girlfriend. She told police Diamond had not received veterinary care in more than two years, prosecutors said.

Abbenante was arrested on March 22. She is scheduled to return to court for a pre-arraignment conference on July 19 in Providence County Superior Court.

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