Albany Woman Charged for Leaving Dog Trapped in Bag in Freezing Temps

The 34-year-old woman faces animal cruelty and abandonment charges after allegedly zipping a Pomeranian into a backpack and leaving it outside.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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An Albany woman has been charged with animal cruelty and abandonment after allegedly leaving a 5-year-old Pomeranian dog trapped inside a backpack and abandoning it outside in below-zero temperatures. Police found the dog around 12:30 p.m. on January 27 and transported it to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, where it is recovering in good condition.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious issue of animal abuse and neglect, which can have severe consequences for the animals involved. It also raises questions about mental health, access to resources, and the need for stronger laws and enforcement to protect vulnerable animals.

The details

According to Albany city police, the 34-year-old woman is accused of zipping the Pomeranian dog into a backpack and leaving it "without food, water or any means of escape" on a sidewalk near Sherman and Ontario streets. The dog was found by police around 12:30 p.m. on January 27 and taken to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society for evaluation and treatment.

  • The incident occurred on January 27, 2026.
  • The woman is scheduled to appear in Albany City Criminal Court at a later date.

The players

Albany Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and charged the woman with animal cruelty and abandonment.

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society

The animal welfare organization that received and cared for the Pomeranian dog after it was rescued by police.

34-year-old Albany woman

The individual charged with animal cruelty and abandonment for allegedly leaving the dog trapped in a backpack in freezing temperatures.

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What’s next

The judge will decide at a later court date whether to allow the woman out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for greater awareness and action to protect vulnerable animals from abuse and neglect, as well as the importance of providing mental health resources and support to prevent such tragedies from occurring.