NYC veterinarian charged with dumping 35 euthanized cats, dogs and lizard alongside highway

The Associated Press

HARRISON, N.Y. - A New York veterinarian has been charged with dumping 35 euthanized pets alongside a highway.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Westchester tells the Journal News (http://lohud.us/JruGzq ) that Andrew Manesis took payments to properly dispose of 26 euthanized cats, eight dogs and a lizard. Instead, they say, he dumped them alongside Westchester County's Hutchinson River Parkway over several months.

A Transportation Authority worker found the carcasses on April 5. It appeared the pets had been cared for well while they were alive.

Manesis faces misdemeanour charges of petit larceny, scheme to defraud and a violation of environmental code. His court appearance is scheduled for June 5.

A message left at Throgs Neck Animal Hospital in New York wasn't immediately returned.