Police make arrest in Schenectady animal cruelty case

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady Police Department has arrested a man in an ongoing animal cruelty case. Police said Basean D. Brooks, 31, of Schenctady, has been arrested in the case involving Lavender, a female pit bull.

Police arrested Brooks on Friday afternoon, almost a week after some good Samaritans found Lavender near McClellan Street and Eastern Parkway with injuries to her face, head, and one of her ears, which police said may have been intentionally cut off.

Police said Brooks is accused of walking Lavender to the area where she was found and abandoning her while she was injured. Lavender is still recovering at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, and shelter officials have organized a fundraiser in her honor.

Brooks has been charged with one count of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance. Mowhawk Hudson Humane Society officials said Lavender has endured unimaginable suffering and is still receiving treatment for severe infections to her wounds, treatment for scarring around her eyes, and more.

"We’re asking our community to stand with us—by supporting Lavender’s healing and by helping us push for the strongest possible penalties for the people who did this. Lavender and other victims of animal cruelty deserve nothing less," Mowhawk Hudson Humane Society President and CEO Ashley Jeffrey Bouck said.

If anyone has information about what led to Lavender's injuries, contact Schenectady Police Department detectives by calling (518) 382-5245 or the tip line at (518) 788-6566. Stay with NEWS10 as more information becomes available.