Wheatley Heights man charged after emaciated Cane Corso found barricaded in basement

Suffolk County SPCA says four-year-old Apollo was locked away with little food or water, and covered in untreated wounds

A Wheatley Heights man faces animal cruelty charges after Suffolk County SPCA investigators determined he deprived his 4-year-old Cane Corso of adequate food, water and veterinary care t— and confined the dog to a basement, secured by a metal door held closed by the weight of three car tires.

Police charged 20-year-old Isaiah Thomas with failure to provide necessary veterinary care and failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal, SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.

The charges stem from an investigation into the maltreatment of Thomas’ dog, Apollo, in September 2026, authorities said. Investigators found the dog severely underweight, with a shockingly low body condition score —2 out of 9 on the standard veterinary scale.

Apollo was also found suffering from a flea infestation, excoriations, open wounds, severe generalized muscle loss and diffuse skin disease marked by hair loss, crusting and scabbing.

Investigators noted that the conditions Apollo was kept in led to the dog’s severe weight loss and other life-threatening issues.

Apollo is now receiving medical treatment at a local animal shelter, according to the SPCA.

SPCA detectives on Tuesday issued Thomas a field appearance ticket on Tuesday. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk First District Court in Central Islip on Oct. 5.

_{Top: provided by the Suffolk SPCA}