Sound Beach couple charged after starving dog

A Sound Beach husband and wife face animal cruelty charge after authorities found their dog, Kobe, severely emaciated and covered in sores, Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.

Michael O’Brien, 39, and Jenecia O’Brien, 37, are each charged with failure to provide necessary veterinary care and failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal, Gross said.

The charges stem from alleged neglect that began early this year and continued into October, investigators said.

Kobe, a 5-year-old male coonhound-boxer mix, weighed just 37 pounds when he was brought in for veterinary care, according to the SPCA. A dog of his breed and age typically weighs more than 65 pounds.

Veterinarians gave Kobe a body condition score of 1 out of 5, which indicates severe emaciation, officials said.

Vets also found multiple apparent ulcerative lesions over bony areas of the dog’s body, including his hindquarters and legs. The SPCA said the injuries are consistent with prolonged pressure and may be linked to restricted movement or extended confinement.

The SPCA said Kobe had been kept in a crate inside the home and was not given proper amounts of food and water.

Kobe is now receiving medical treatment at a local animal shelter as he begins his recovery, Gross said.

SPCA detectives issued the O’Briens a field appearance ticket on Monday. They are scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 30 in Suffolk First District Court in Central Islip.

_{Top: provided by the Suffolk SPCA}