Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

A man accused of abandoning two dogs at Sunken Meadow State Park was arrested.

Prosecutors say Roger Guzman-Gomez, of Selden, pushed the two small, white dogs out of his SUV before fleeing the scene on March 5.

The dogs, named Thelma and Louise, were brought to the Smithtown Animal Shelter and have since been adopted.

Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross says animals are constantly abandoned.

Authorities have rescued dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and reptiles, including alligators.

Gross says New York’s animal cruelty laws are some of the weakest in the country, and should get tougher.

“We put rewards out, we do arrest these people when we get them they end up getting a slap on the wrist. I only recall in my career two people that served prison time for animal cruelty,” Gross said.

Guzman-Gomez will be arraigned on May 8.