Mary Murphy-Ballreich of East Hampton, 47, was arrested on Dec. 2 at the East Hampton Veterinary Group on a misdemeanor charge of "torturing or injuring animals/failure to provide sustenance."
Dr. Kenneth Palmer, a co-owner of the veterinary group, reported the abuse to police, noting that the dog, a female Maltese mix named Lili, had to be sedated in order to be cared for.
The dog's owner allegedly had not bathed or groomed her, nor taken her to the vet. Police reported that she had allowed Lili's fur "to become matted with feces and soaked in urine," which "caused a skin irritation and discomfort to the dog's stomach and anus."
Ms. Murphy-Ballreich was to have answered the charges in East Hampton Town Justice Court yesterday.