MONTICELLO, NY — On November 5, 2026, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Sullivan County Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding a possible animal cruelty incident. CPS had developed information that a dog had been stabbed to death at a residence in Monticello.

An investigation into the incident led deputies to a residence on Airport Road in the Town of Bethel, the following day. At that location deputies found a dog’s body buried in a shallow grave. A necropsy and further investigation revealed that the dog, which was a pit bull mix named “Peru”, had been stabbed several times in the neck with a fork from a barbecue grill. The cause of death was ruled as asphyxiation.

On Tuesday November 10, 2026, deputies arrested Ryan M. Mann, 25 and Virginia A. Sanders, 30, both of Monticello. They were charged with the felonies of Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Tampering with Evidence and the misdemeanor of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor. The suspects were arraigned in the Town of Thompson Court before Judge Sharon Jankiewicz and released under New York State’s bail reform law, pending a future court appearance.

Sheriff Mike Schiff said that his office is dedicated to the prosecution of animal cruelty cases. “Our deputies have received specialized training and they work closely with the District Attorney’s Office to make sure animal abusers are held accountable”, said the Sheriff. “Defendants in Sullivan County who are convicted of animal cruelty will find themselves on the Animal Cruelty Offender List and could face possible jail time, probation and/or a fine”, he said.