BAY TERRACE — More than 100 protesters jammed into Staten Island Criminal Court and took to the streets of Bay Terrace to demand jail time for a woman arrested last week for stuffing her 3-month old puppy into a plastic bag and throwing it out of her car.
Alsu Ivanchenko, 34, was released on $3,500 bail following her arraignment Monday for felony animal cruelty and other charges. She faces two years in prison if convicted.
She allegedly stuffed her Maltese Shih Tzu puppy, Snowflake, inside a black plastic bag and tossing it out of a car near the Bay Terrace train station Sept. 16, according to court papers.
The dog survived but suffered a fractured skull, a fractured femur and brain trauma, according to court papers. The pooch, who's since been renamed "Charlotte" by animal advocates, is currently recovering at a veterinarian's office.
Nearly 100 protesters holding signs reading "I support Charlotte" and "Justice for Charlotte" gathered outside the criminal court building early Monday morning and sat in on Ivanchenko's second court appearance to demand she be sent behind bars.
"We want to see this monster put away in jail, She needs to serve a sentence," said Maria LaBarbera, 51, who died her hair pink in support of the puppy. "This is heartbreaking."
After the court appearance, several protesters headed over to Hylan Boulevard in Bay Terrace and protested in front of Ivanchenko's home until the late afternoon.
The group also plastered signs all along the street and bus stops in Ivanchenko's neighborhood, some with Ivanchenko's picture on them, and said they vowed to protest every court date and in front of home daily.
"We're going to be here every time she goes to court and we're going to be here every day," said Antoinette Cavalotti, one of the organizers. "We're just going to make people aware that they have a monster living here."
According to court papers, Ivanchenko told police that she couldn't afford the puppy's medical bills so she decided to get rid of her. She later bought her daughter a new dog.
"Just give me my misdemeanor so I can get out of here," she told investigators according to court papers. "It's just a dog. I opened the door and threw it out."
Ivanchenko's lawyer, John Murphy Jr., did not respond to request for comments.
She is due back in court on Nov. 5.
