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An Auburn couple has been convicted of charges related to the neglect and abuse of a puppy, with one defendant pleading guilty mid-trial. According to Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci, Laura Hendrickson, 51, pleaded guilty on Wednesday (April 22) to aggravated cruelty to animals during her trial in Cayuga County Court. The charge is a felony under state agriculture and market law. Hendrickson also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, as well as two counts of animal abandonment.
The case involves both Hendrickson and Kenneth Sulgar, 45, who were accused of starving and confining a puppy in a crate for over a year, resulting in severe physical and psychological damage to the animal. The abuse reportedly occurred over a 16-month period between November 2023 and March 2025. Authorities discovered the puppy in critical condition, suffering from emaciation and permanent deformities due to prolonged confinement.
The couple faced charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, overdriving and torturing animals, abandonment, and failing to provide proper sustenance. If convicted, both could face up to two years in jail.
Animal welfare advocates have highlighted this case as an example of the need for stronger animal protection laws. They argue that existing laws often punish offenders after the fact but do little to prevent such abuse from occurring. Advocates are calling for a lifetime ban on animal ownership for the couple to prevent future incidents.
The Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office has expressed a commitment to fast-tracking animal abuse cases and holding offenders accountable. This case underscores the ongoing challenges in preventing animal cruelty and the importance of systemic change to protect vulnerable animals.