The attempt to acquire a Chihuahua resulted in the intervention of the police in a premises of Manorhavenhas Long Island of the State of New York (United States). 21 dogs were removed there by the authorities, who cited signs of neglect. The head of the structure targeted by the investigation, however, disputes certain elements and claims to have alerted the police herself after losing contact with her employees, reported News 12 on Monday September 7, 2026.
Margaret Ragusaa resident of Brentwoodhad gone to Manorhaven to recover the Chihuahua that she claims to have bought, even specifying that she paid 500 dollars (430 euros). According to his testimony, a person was responsible for handing over the puppy to him when an alert was given regarding the conditions in which the other dogs were found.
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Dogs held in cages, without food or water
The situation then took on a whole new dimension. According to authorities cited in a report from News 12 published on Sunday September 6, it was a passerby who looked inside the building, noticed the state of the animals and called the police. Selma Kazilwho presents himself as responsible for the dogs, however gives another version of the facts. She claims to have sought help from someone involved in animal rescue after losing contact with her employees, whom she had left to care for the animals while she was away. According to her, it was this person who then alerted the police. This version differs from that reported by the authorities, according to which a passerby saw the dogs inside the building, noted their poor conditions of detention and called the police.
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Animal services ultimately removed 21 dogs from the premises. Jennifer DeSenasupervisor of the city of North Hempsteadindicates that they were held in cages, without sufficient access to water and food, and in deplorable hygienic conditions. They are now taken care of in the municipal animal shelter, where they now receive meals, water and care.
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Selma Kazil however, disputes several of the facts with which he is accused. She says only 17 dogs were in the building, some of which were being kept temporarily for their owners, while others were intended for adoption or transfer to associations.
She also ensures that the quadrupeds were in good health, with the exception of a dog under treatment. She explains that she left the state and left her employees to take care of the dogs, before she was no longer able to contact them.
More questions than answers, an open investigation
The Nassau County Police and District Attorney, as well as the Port Washington are participating in the investigation, which should notably make it possible to determine how the animals found themselves in this situation.
For his part, Margaret Ragusa still hopes to get back the Chihuahua she planned to adopt. A situation all the more frustrating as his adoption plan is now linked to a case whose circumstances have yet to be clarified.