Farmersville, N.Y. (WBEN) - A woman in the Town of Farmersville in Cattaraugus County is facing 41 counts of neglect of an impounded animal, along with other charges following the seizure of dozens of animals from a residence.
Nearly a month ago on July 24, New York State Police called the SPCA in Cattaraugus County to the home housing 41 dogs and 11 cats in squalid conditions.
A Machias-based New York State Trooper obtained a warrant to access the structure, and with assistance from the SPCA in Cattaraugus County, dog control officer Trevor Hollenbeck and staff from the SPCA in Allegany County, the animals were removed and transported to the SPCA in Cattaraugus County.
Upon arrival at the SPCA in Cattaraugus County, staff medically evaluated the animals, provided healthy food, fresh water, and a clean environment. The following day, veterinarian visits began for the dogs who needed the most immediate attention.
One dog had to be humanely euthanized due to a long-term, untreated condition.
Others displayed severe skin and ear infections, dental disease, missing teeth, heart murmurs, missing jaws, mammary masses, matted hair and hair loss, lesions on foot pads, ulcerations on scrotums, flea infestations, and other conditions.
Most medical issues were derived from poor living conditions.
At the Farmersville location, the animals lacked access to running or clean water, a consistent food source, and medical care, and were kept confined in their own waste for an extended time. No person(s) lived in the house with them.
The SPCA staff started the dogs on antibiotics for various infections and provided soothing baths to ease the discomfort of skin conditions, caring for the animals for 20 days leading up to the owner’s relinquishment of ownership.
The dogs included Dachshunds and doxie mixes, and a bonded pair of Labrador Retrievers – one of whom serves as the eyes for other, who is blind. Many of the dogs are older in age.
The woman responsible faces charges of torturing or injuring animals, failure to provide sustenance, and the 41 counts of neglect of an impounded animal.
At an arraignment on Aug. 12, all the animals seized were relinquished to the custody of the SPCA in Cattaraugus County. No longer held as evidence, the ruling allows the SPCA to move forward with finding families for the animals.
The defendant pled not guilty in her first court appearance, and will appear again in early September.
The SPCA in Cattaraugus County can humanely hold and care for about 20 dogs in the current space. When the seized dogs arrived, the facility reached double capacity.
Leading up to the first court appearance, several dogs already at the shelter were adopted, freeing up space for the seized animals. SPCA staff and volunteers made it work through caring creativity and long days, nursing the animals back to health and providing love many never received.