Abandoned for weeks without food or water, two dogs paid the price—let’s make sure their owner does too.
Thousands Demand Lifetime Ban on Animal Ownership for New York Man Arrested for Cruelty
In a harrowing case of cruelty and neglect, New York authorities uncovered a gut-wrenching scene in Plymouth, NY: two dogs had been left chained outside without food, water, or shelter. By the time state troopers arrived, one of the dogs had already died—his body so decomposed it was impossible to perform a necropsy. The second dog, a senior, was still alive but barely hanging on.
👉 Sign the petition to demand a lifetime ban on pet ownership for this man—and help ensure no other animals suffer the same fate.
The man responsible, Preston L. Branagan, 69, has been arrested and charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor failure to provide sustenance. He is currently scheduled to appear in Plymouth Town Court on June 17. But for thousands of animal advocates across the country, these charges are only the beginning of what must be done.
One Dog Dead, Another Barely Alive
According to a police report, New York State Troopers responded to County Road 21 in Plymouth back in March after receiving a tip about neglected dogs on the property. What they found was devastating.
One dog had already succumbed to starvation, his remains in such an advanced stage of decomposition that experts couldn’t even perform an autopsy. A second dog—a frail senior—was found still alive, but in critical condition. The poor animal was emaciated, dehydrated, and showing signs of severe muscle atrophy. With no access to food or water, and chained in place, he was unable to move or care for himself.
It’s believed both dogs had been left alone for weeks, if not longer.
Authorities immediately surrendered the surviving dog to the care of the Susquehanna SPCA. There, he began receiving treatment for his many ailments—including infections and the debilitating effects of long-term confinement.
👉 Sign the petition to stop this man from ever owning animals again. His neglect has already claimed one life—let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“He Should Never Own Another Animal”
For animal lovers, the facts of the case are clear—and horrifying. “This is beyond simple neglect,” said one Care2 campaigner. “This is abandonment. It’s cruelty. And it’s a betrayal of everything it means to be a guardian to an animal.”
The fact that one dog was allowed to rot in place, while another slowly starved at his side, speaks to an appalling level of disregard for life. Investigators say Branagan made no effort to seek help, rehome the animals, or even ensure they had basic necessities.
“This is a textbook case of why stronger laws and enforcement are needed,” said a representative from the Susquehanna SPCA. “Without the intervention of our local law enforcement, that second dog would not have survived.”
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about one case in one town—it’s a national issue. According to the Humane Society of the United States, thousands of animals suffer neglect every year in homes across the country. Yet penalties for these acts are often weak, inconsistent, or entirely unenforced.
Without harsher consequences, abusers are allowed to slip through the cracks—and far too often, animals pay the ultimate price.
That’s why advocates are pushing for more than just an arrest. They’re calling for a lifetime ban on animal ownership for Preston Branagan, along with mandatory mental health evaluation and counseling.
Because no one who leaves a dog to starve—and another to rot—should ever be entrusted with an animal again.
👉 Sign the petition now to demand accountability. These dogs deserved better.
A Call for Justice
What happened on that rural property in Plymouth was not a tragic accident. It was preventable. And now, it’s up to us to make sure it never happens again.
Just like Tywinn, the Schnauzer drowned by his owner in a Florida airport bathroom, these dogs were betrayed by the very people they trusted most. But where there was cruelty, there must now be justice. We cannot let these animals die in vain.
Let’s raise our voices—for the dog who didn’t survive, and for the one who’s still fighting.
👉 Sign the petition today. Ban this man from ever owning animals again—and be a voice for the voiceless.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- She Trapped Pets in Cages and Walked Away — The Horror Police Found Inside Was Unimaginable
- Abandoned for weeks without food or water, two dogs paid the price—let’s make sure their owner does too.
- Florida Man Hangs Two Dogs From a Tree and Claims It Was an Accident — Public Demands Justice
- Dogs Died in Their Crates While Caregiver Did Meth—Why This ‘Trainer’ Must Be Banned for Life
- 52 Animals Rescued from Cobleskill Home in Horrific Neglect Case—Public Demands Justice
