CARMEL – A Kent woman who pleaded guilty to animal abuse for failing to care for her eight-year-old Catahoula Leopard mix dog two years ago resulting in her arrest for animal abuse and neglect, is back in trouble with the law again for failing to register with the Putnam County Animal Cruelty Registry.
Shannon McMahon, 43, was taken into custody Thursday after absconding from probation supervision following her return to Putnam County.
On June 23, 2024, detectives with the Putnam County SPCA arrested McMahon.
SPCA Chief Ken Ross who has seen far too many cases of animal abuse and neglect during his decades’ long career described the condition of the dog named “Abby” as “one of the most emaciated dogs” he had ever seen.
Following the investigation and subsequent court proceedings, McMahon entered a plea to the charge and was ordered by the court to comply with the requirements of the Putnam County Animal Cruelty Registry, which mandates that certain individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses register with the Putnam County SPCA and keep their information current.
While performing a recent audit of the registry, the SPCA made note that McMahon had not, as required, reregistered before the end of January 2026, in addition to contacting the SPCA regarding a change of address and other requirements. Shortly after the internal audit, the SPCA received an anonymous tip indicating that McMahon was in Atlantic City, New Jersey and had allegedly absconded from her probation supervision for a second time within the past few months.
This information was shared with the Putnam County Probation Department, which issued a warrant for McMahon’s arrest related to her probation violations.
Putnam County Probation officers traveled to New Jersey where McMahon had been detained on the warrant, and she was transported back to Putnam County where upon her return, SPCA detectives issued McMahon a violation for failing to update and re-register with the Putnam County Animal Cruelty Registry, as required by the terms of the registry.
The offense is a misdemeanor under the state’s penal code carrying a maximum year’s incarceration in a county jail plus fines of up to $1,000 if found guilty.
Abby, meanwhile, continues to recuperate from the neglect having suffered several setbacks during the past two years requiring medical attention.
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