Couple Locked Dog in Crate, Starved Her Until She Was Disfigured. Now the Public Demands Justice.
In one of the most disturbing recent cases of animal cruelty in New York, two Auburn residents stand accused of starving, neglecting, and abandoning multiple dogs over a 16-month period. Authorities say the abuse left one dog so emaciated and confined for so long that she suffered permanent deformities to her paws.
According to prosecutors, Kenneth Sulgar, 45, and Laura Hendrickson, 50, not only abandoned two dogs entirely but also subjected a third to relentless confinement in a crate. Locked inside without a chance to run, stretch, or move, the dog developed severe inflammation, injuries, and lasting disfigurement. Even worse, she was denied adequate food, leading to extreme and rapid weight loss.
“This was not just neglect,” one animal welfare advocate said. “It was prolonged torture that resulted in both physical damage and psychological suffering.”
Authorities have charged Sulgar and Hendrickson with aggravated cruelty to animals, overdriving and torturing animals, abandonment, and failing to provide food and water. Both now face potential jail time if convicted.
👉 SIGN THE PETITION to permanently ban these abusers from ever owning or caring for animals again.
A Case That Should Never Have Happened
The cruelty is alleged to have occurred between November 2023 and March 2025. Over that span of time, opportunities to intervene were missed, raising critical questions about how such abuse was allowed to continue for so long.
By the time authorities discovered the dogs, the confined survivor was in critical condition—her body scarred from neglect, her paws damaged from months of being trapped inside a crate, and her frame wasted from lack of food.
Advocates say this case underscores a grim reality: animal welfare laws often punish after the fact, but do too little to prevent repeated abuse. Without stronger safeguards, dogs like this one continue to suffer in silence until it’s too late.
“This dog’s disfigurement was entirely preventable,” said a spokesperson for a local animal protection group. “It wasn’t just that she was starved—it was the deliberate act of caging her for months on end. That kind of cruelty requires accountability, but it also requires systemic change.”
👉 SIGN THE PETITION to demand New York authorities ensure these abusers never harm another animal.
Why a Lifetime Ban Matters
Sulgar and Hendrickson could face up to two years in jail if convicted. But advocates stress that punishment alone is not enough. Unless the court also enacts a lifetime ban on animal ownership, there’s nothing stopping offenders like these from repeating the same cruelty once they’re released.
That’s why thousands of people are calling for action—not just jail time, but real, enforceable restrictions to ensure that animals never end up in their care again.
“These individuals showed a clear disregard for life,” said one rescuer. “They starved, abandoned, and disfigured innocent dogs. The only way to guarantee the safety of future animals is to ensure they never have the opportunity to do it again.”
👉 SIGN THE PETITION now to demand a lifetime ban on animal ownership for these offenders.
A Wake-Up Call for Change
The Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office has said it is committed to fast-tracking animal abuse cases and holding offenders accountable. But advocates argue this case highlights a much larger issue: how many animals suffer in silence before authorities step in?
This story is more than just a tragedy—it’s a wake-up call. Animal cruelty does not exist in a vacuum. Research consistently shows that individuals who commit violence against animals often pose risks to society at large. Stronger intervention, stricter sentencing, and lifetime bans are essential—not only to protect animals but to protect communities.
The dog who endured starvation and confinement cannot speak for herself. But we can.
Justice for her—and for the two abandoned dogs whose stories remain untold—means ensuring that Sulgar and Hendrickson are permanently barred from animal ownership.
No more second chances. No more suffering.
👉 SIGN THE PETITION today to demand a lifetime ban on animal ownership for these abusers.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- Couple Locked Dog in Crate, Starved Her Until She Was Disfigured. Now the Public Demands Justice.
- Snapchat Video Shows Woman Urging Dogs to Kill 15-Year-Old Cat. Outrage Follows.
- 101 Dogs Rescued From Raleigh Puppy Mill Sparks Outrage—Now the Public Demands Justice
- 100+ Animals Pulled From NY Home So Unsafe It Was Condemned—Calls for Justice Grow Louder
- Puppy Left in Plastic Tote to Suffer in South Carolina Sparks Outrage—Public Demands Justice
