Thanks to vigilant citizens online and diligent SPCA detectives, a 57-year-old Danbury woman has been arrested after admitting she left her cat for dead on a rural Hudson Valley roadside.
Discovery of the Abandoned Cat
On June 11, amid unusually warm June temperatures topping 80 degrees, a passerby spotted a cat carrier discarded at the edge of a wooded lot on Old Milltown Road in the Town of Southeast, Putnam County. Concerned by a faint rustling inside, the Good Samaritan approached and found a small, frightened cat trapped within. Recognizing the urgency, they immediately transported the animal to the Putnam Humane Society in Carmel for emergency care.
Emergency Rescue and Veterinary Assessment
At the Humane Society, veterinary staff determined the cat was a three-year-old unneutered male in surprisingly stable but dehydrated condition. Volunteers provided fluids, warmth and nutritional support as SPCA detectives opened a formal investigation. “We treated him for mild dehydration and monitored for heat stress,” explained a shelter veterinarian. “Had he remained in that carrier through the day, his prognosis would have been dire.”
Launch of a Social Media “Information Wanted” Campaign
Putnam County SPCA detectives publicly appealed for tips via social media, sharing the cat’s photo and details of the crime. The post quickly garnered hundreds of shares and comments, as local animal lovers expressed outrage and concern. Among the responses, one user privately messaged SPCA investigators with a lead—information pointing toward a possible suspect living just across the state line in Connecticut.
Surveillance Footage Leads to Danbury
Acting on the tip, detectives reviewed surveillance video from a convenience store parking lot in Danbury. The footage showed a woman matching the tipster’s description removing a carrier from her vehicle’s trunk and leaving it beside a wooded area. With this evidence, SPCA agents traveled to Danbury the following Sunday to question the individual in custody.
Confession and Arrest
During questioning, the suspect—later identified as 57-year-old Ruth Reynoso of Danbury—confessed to abandoning the cat, citing personal stress as her motivation. SPCA agents placed her under arrest on charges of Animal Cruelty and Animal Abandonment. Records obtained from the Danbury Police Department indicate Reynoso was previously arrested for larceny on December 24, 2024.
Charges and Next Steps
Reynoso faces felony counts punishable by up to several years in prison and substantial fines under New York’s Agriculture and Markets Law. “Abandoning an animal in such dangerous conditions is unacceptable,” stated SPCA Detective Laura Martinez. “We hope this case underscores that animal cruelty will not go unpunished.”
Community Response and Ongoing Care
The rescued cat—now nicknamed “Milltown”—remains in the care of the Putnam Humane Society while authorities complete their case file. Local residents have rallied to support his rehabilitation, donating bedding, toys and healthy food. “The outpouring of support reminds us how much this community cares,” said shelter director Mark Collins. “We anticipate Milltown will be available for adoption once he’s fully recovered.”
Lessons and Precautions for Pet Owners
Officials urge pet owners facing hardships to seek help rather than resorting to abandonment. The SPCA reminds the public of resources such as low-cost veterinary clinics, pet surrender programs and crisis hotlines that prevent animals from being left to suffer. Anyone who witnesses animal abuse or abandonment is encouraged to report it immediately to local authorities or the SPCA hotline.
As the case moves through the judicial system, the Hudson Valley community celebrates the swift rescue and anticipates justice for the mistreated cat. Meanwhile, Milltown’s journey from near-fatal neglect to hopeful recovery serves as a testament to the power of community vigilance and compassionate policing.
Leave a Reply