Newport Woman Accused Of Abandoning Emaciated Dogs In Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, RI — A Newport woman was arrested in connection with the pair of dogs found emaciated in Portsmouth on Thanksgiving morning, police said. Joneya Mack, 29, faces charges of unnecessary cruelty to an animal, abandonment of an animal, felony unnecessary cruelty of an animal and felony abandonment of an animal.

Mack was arrested at her home on John H Chaffee Boulevard Wednesday, Portsmouth police said.

The two dogs were rescued Thanksgiving morning. Portsmouth police received a call around 7 a.m., and found the dogs, both female, severely emaciated and lethargic. Officers nicknamed the darker colored dog Turkey and the lighter one Gravy.

The dogs were rushed to an emergency vet, where Turkey later had to be euthanized due to her condition, police said. Gravy has since been released to the Potter League for Animals to recover.

The Potter League is currently offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for abandoning the animals. It was initially $5,000, donated by an anonymous person, and was raised after several other donors stepped up to contribute.

Mack was arraigned Wednesday at the Portsmouth police station and released on bail. She will be re-arraigned in Second Division District Court in Newport on Thursday.