Tina says her two Chinese Crested dogs were transferred while she was hospitalized and is seeking information about their location and return.
QUEENSBURY, NEW YORK — A New York dog owner is seeking information about the current location and return of her two Chinese Crested dogs, Mia and Milo, after learning that the dogs were no longer at the SPCA of Upstate New York when she attempted to retrieve them following a hospitalization.
Tina, whose surname is being withheld from this public release for privacy, says she was hospitalized from September 7 through September 22, 2026. On September 7, Mia and Milo were taken to Barks and Rec while Tina received medical treatment.
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According to Tina, the SPCA of Upstate New York subsequently assisted by paying county charges necessary to obtain the dogs’ release from Barks and Rec and taking custody of them while she remained hospitalized.
Tina says she understood that she would reimburse the amount advanced on her behalf and that Mia and Milo would be kept safe until she was discharged from the hospital.
After being discharged on September 22, Tina went to the SPCA on September 23 to retrieve the dogs. She says she was informed of charges exceeding $1,500 and was told that the dogs could be released if she paid $600 by 5:00 p.m. that day.
Tina says she was unable to obtain the money by that deadline but had the requested funds available by Friday and continued attempting to arrange retrieval.
When Tina again sought to retrieve Mia and Milo on September 29, she says she was informed that the dogs were no longer at the facility and that SPCA records indicated she had surrendered them.
Tina says she did not surrender Mia or Milo, did not sign a surrender document, and did not authorize their adoption or permanent transfer.
On September 30, Tina signed a written affirmation under penalty of perjury stating that Mia and Milo had continuously lived with her from April 1 through September 7, 2026, that she had not been separated from them even overnight, and that they had not been housed at an animal shelter, rescue organization, animal-control facility, boarding facility, or similar organization during that period.
Photographs and video information provided by Tina show Mia and Milo together on June 22, August 1, and September 5, 2026. The September 5 photograph was taken two days before Tina’s hospitalization.
On September 30, the SPCA advised Tina’s attorney that its records contained information indicating that the dogs had been “held for six months.” Tina says that information is incorrect and has provided the SPCA with her signed affirmation and dated images for its review.
The SPCA has advised Tina’s attorney that it is conducting an internal review.
Tina is seeking information about Mia and Milo’s present location and arrangements for their return.
“Our immediate concern is determining where Mia and Milo are and facilitating their safe return to Tina. We appreciate the SPCA’s willingness to review the additional information that has now been provided,” said Elena Dvoinik, Esq., attorney for Tina.
Anyone with information concerning the present location of Mia and Milo is asked to contact Tina’s attorney.
Media / Information Contact
Elena Dvoinik, Esq.
Elena Dvoinik, Attorney at Law
447 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Suite 67
New York, NY 10013
(212) 605-0529
info@dvoiniklaw.com
dvoiniklaw.com