LIBERTY – A 44-year-old woman has been arrested by the Village of Liberty Police Department in connection with the death of a dog in an apartment on Grant Street.

Marybeth Edwards has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies. According to police, officers responded to a report of a deceased dog at an apartment complex after members of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Civil Division had executed an eviction warrant at the apartment on Thursday. The Town of Liberty Dog Control Officer/Constable and the Liberty Police Department all responded to the scene after it was quickly determined that the animal had been the victim of severe abuse and neglect.

A joint investigation resulted in identifying, locating and arresting Edwards. The investigation also revealed that Edwards had disposed of evidence during the investigation. She was arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to Sullivan County Jail without bail. She is due back in the Town of Liberty Court on Wednesday.

“The intentional killing of this dog by failing to provide its basic needs caused extreme physical suffering and was carried out in an especially depraved and sadistic manner,” Liberty Police Chief Steven D’Agata said. “Companion animals like cats and dogs rely entirely on the people entrusted with their care for survival. Failing to meet the most basic level of care necessary to keep an animal alive is despicable and has no place in our community. Our department will continue working with the Town of Liberty Dog Control Officer/Constable and the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office to ensure that individuals who cause unnecessary pain and suffering to innocent animals are held accountable to the maximum extent of the law.”