Three charged with animal cruelty after eight ill dogs found

NEW YORK -- Three Elmira residents were charged with animal cruelty Friday after eight dogs in very serious physical condition were found in an unoccupied house at 951 Oak St.

Both Rose A. Seymour, 57, and William C. Seymour Jr., 57, were charged with eight counts of animal cruelty, a class A misdemeanor, and one count of unsanitary conditions. In addition, Rose Seymour was charged with seven counts each of failure to license dogs and failure to provide rabies vaccination.

Tina M. Seymour, 38, of Elmira, was charged with failure to license dog and failure to provide rabies vaccination.

The Seymours, who were charged by Elmira Animal Control Officers, are the owners of the mixed-breed dogs and of the Oak Street property where the dogs were found, Elmira police said.

The dogs were seized Tuesday and transported to Compassionate Companion Care Animal Hospital by Animal Control for evaluation and treatment and are currently at the Elmira Animal Shelter under veterinarian care.

Animal Control also discovered a natural gas leak at the house and was assisted by the Elmira Fire Department, Code Enforcement and Police and New York State Electric and Gas.

(Star Gazette - Aug 23 2013)