Alsu Ivanchenko, the alleged puppy abuser from Staten Island, appeared in court on Thursday, where she pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges. Miss Ivanchenko is accused of throwing her puppy formerly named Snowflake, out of a moving car. The dog now known as Charlotte, suffered brain trauma, a fractured skull and broken leg.
Alsu Ivanchenko, who allegedly injured the puppy by stuffing her into a plastic bag, made her first court appearance. Ivanchenko is also accused of throwing Charlotte out of a car.
On Thursday, dressed in a fancy coat, sunglasses and with her face hidden under a scarf, Miss Alsu Ivanchenko showed up at the Staten Island Supreme Court, where she was greeted by a group of angry protesters.
Despite the pouring rain, about 10 animal lovers, some with signs that read “Justice for Charlotte,” and others accompanied by their dogs, shouted at Ivanchenko as she tried to enter the building.
On September 12th, Ivanchenko made headlines after she was caught tossing her 3-month-old puppy from a car near the railway fence at South Railroad and Hopkins Avenues.
According to the police report, Alsu Ivanchenko claimed that she could no longer financially care for the sick Maltese-Shih Tzu mix, then-named Snowflake, which is why she dumped her.
The dog survived, but suffered a long list of injuries, including a fractured skull, femur, brain trauma and loss of vision.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) rescued the puppy, renamed her Charlotte.
According to a statement issued by the non-profit organization, Charlotte has been making minor progress after having surgery. Ivanchenko has been indicted for felony aggravated cruelty to animals, charged with torturing and injuring animals, and abandonment of a disabled animal.
Miss Alsu Ivanchenko is free on $3,500 bail and has agreed to a ban on possessing a companion animal.
Ivanchenko, dubbed the puppy abuser from New York is set to appear in court on January 13, she could face up to two years in prison.
