SPCA: Islip Animal Shelter Worker Left Dog in Dumpster

A Lindenhurst man who works at the Islip Animal Shelter was arrested Thursday after officials say he left a dog in a dumpster in West Islip earlier this week. 

Michael Papini, 30, was caught on surveillance video taking a large plastic garbage bag out of the back of a vehicle and throwing it into a dumpster behind USA gas station, located at 410 Montauk Highway, on Monday morning, according to the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

Inside that bag was a female 1-year-old Lhasa apso, who was found alive in the dumpster the next morning, the SPCA said. 

Papini has been suspended without pay from his job as a kennel attendant at the Islip Animal Shelter in Bay Shore, according to Islip Town spokeswoman Inez Birbiglia. 

"The Islip Animal Shelter prides itself on its professional treatment of all pets that come through its doors," Birbiglia said in a statement. "This troubling incident in no way reflects the loving and caring treatment for all animals from our many dedicated staff and volunteers." 

Papini is charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty, animal abandonment and other related charges. He is being held overnight at the First Precinct and will be arraigned Saturday in First District Court in Central Islip.

The dog was treated at the Veterinary Medical Center of West Islip and is now at the Islip Animal Shelter.