(WNY News Now) – Jamestown – A Jamestown woman faces serious charges after police responded to reports of animal abuse at an eastside residence, resulting in the rescue of a small dog and a ferret in distress.

On September 3, 2024, at approximately 2:51 PM, officers from the Second Platoon responded to an eastside address in Jamestown following a report of a woman physically abusing her small dog. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a witness who reported witnessing Caroline R. Penhollow, a 26-year-old female, slap the dog, pick it up by the back of its neck, and throw it into a tent. Inside the tent, Penhollow allegedly continued to abuse the dog, kicking it as it yelped loud enough for neighbors to hear three doors down.

Further investigation revealed that Penhollow also had a ferret in the tent, reportedly unfed and without water for approximately four days. The ferret was found in a cage with what appeared to be a broken leg.

Officers observed the small dog to be visibly terrified of human contact. Both the dog and ferret were seized from the scene, and Penhollow was taken into custody without incident. She was transported to Jamestown City Jail and is currently being held pending arraignment in Jamestown City Court.

Penhollow faces two counts under New York’s Agriculture and Market Law: Overdriving, Torturing, and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance. The rescued animals are now under the care of local authorities. As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.