A South Beach woman being arrested for animal cruelty was also caught with cocaine, authorities said.

Zaquana Gordon, 22, of the 100 block of Kramer Street, was nabbed in front of her home by ASPCA agents, said Joe Pentangelo, assistant director of the agency.

Officers placing Gordon in handcuffs also discovered 12 plastic bags of cocaine in her pockets, he noted.

Gordon was charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

The investigation into Gordon's alleged abuse of her 3-year-old male pit bull began on Nov. 6, when police officers from the Mid-Island's 122nd Precinct served a drug warrant on the woman's home and spotted the dog, which appeared dehydrated, emaciated and lethargic, Pentangelo said.

"Veterinarians with the ASPCA concluded the dog had been denied food and water," Pentangelo said. "He had prominent hips, visible ribs and his coat was soaked in feces and urine."

Gordon has relinquished control of the dog, named Romeo, and the ASPCA is optimistic he will recover fully and be available for adoption, Pentangelo added.

From the warrant search, Gordon was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of marijuana. She is due back in court on the charges Jan. 8.

Update 1/2/09:  On December 12, HLE agents arrested Staten Islander Zaquana Gordon for neglecting her three-year-old dog. When police officers from the 122nd Precinct executed an unrelated warrant on Gordon in early November, they encountered the woman’s extremely thin, lethargic pit bull and alerted the ASPCA. HLE agents retrieved the dog from the scene and brought him to Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. This dog, renamed Romeo, was treated for starvation and neglect.

Gordon, 22, was charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty and two counts of criminal possession for drugs found on her person during the arrest. Romeo was released to the ASPCA and is currently available for adoption.

Reference:

Staten Island Advance

ASPCA