Prosecutors on Monday went after the owner of three neglected Shih Tzus recovered during a raid on her Bronx apartment, which allegedly doubled as a heroin stash house.
When cops busted into Tiffany Kincanno’s Hull Avenue pad May 13, they discovered her toddler, three severely malnourished pooches and 1,000 packets of heroin.
“The defendant is charged with three counts of over-driving, torturing or injuring animals,” said Assistant District Attorney Daniel Hughes, of the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan. “The dogs are being treated at ASPCA’s intensive care unit.”
Defense lawyer Jeffrey Spollen insisted the dogs didn’t belong to his client, who wept during the proceeding.
Authorities released photographs of the adorable Shih Tzus, which showed their eyes completely obscured by filthy, matted hair.
In the pictures taken after they were cared for by animal authorities, the once-emaciated puppies — Chrissy, Jack and Janet — look far healthier, with their big, brown eyes clearly visible.
“I also want to know that the child is being properly cared for,” said Justice Neil Ross. “I’m just as troubled as anyone might be that there is a very serious allegation of animal abuse, but there’s a very serious allegation about endangering the welfare of a child.”
The toddler, who was discovered in a bedroom near a cache of narcotics, was turned over to the Administration for Children’s Services.
Kincanno, 27, pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court.
She faces raps for animal abuse, criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawfully dealing with a child.