Police: Deer Park Woman Left Pit Bulls Chained to Tree, Cited for Animal Neglect

A Deer Park woman has been cited for animal neglect after police say she left her two "severely emaciated" pit bulls chained to a tree in her backyard. 

According to police, First Precinct officer James Johnson responded to 61 Lincoln Avenue on Sunday after a 911 caller reported that the pit bulls were being neglected. 

When Johnson arrived, he found the two dogs, Nina and Papa, severely emaciated and chained to a tree in the yard, police said. 

John Collins, of the Suffolk County SPCA, also responded to the home to aid in the investigation, police said. 

The dogs were brought to the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island in West Islip and after an examination by veterinarians, it was determined the dogs had been severely neglected, police said.

The dogs' owner, Sharon Martinez, 55, who lives at the Lincoln Avenue home, was issued a field appearance ticket Wednesday morning for severe animal neglect, a class A misdemeanor under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, police said. She will appear in court on a later date. 

The dogs are currently recovering at the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter.