Reward Offered to Help Find Local Couple Accused of Killing Dogs

A reward is now being offered as police continue to look for two Hudson Valley residents who are accused of starving two dogs to death and nearly killing two cats.

According to police, the pet owners, Miesha Bentley and Victoriano Moreira, both 28 from Loch Sheldrake, agreed to care for the animals after their former owners couldn't keep the animals over new apartment regulations.

Bentley and Moreira allegedly left the home and left no food or water for the animals.

Two pit bulls were found starved to death in a vacant home along with two emaciated cats, police say.  A necropsy of the two pit bulls determined that they died from starvation, officials say.

Arrest warrants have been issued for both for aggravated cruelty to animals, a class E felony and failure to provide sustenance, class A misdemeanor.

Both Moreira and Bentley have ties to Manhattan, according to police. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call State Police in Liberty at 845-292-6600.

New York State Police is offering a $500 dollar reward for help finding both.

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