DOUGLAS F. RUSSELL, 41, and TRACY E. HOEPPNER-RUSSELL, 40, were charged Thursday with second degree obstruction of governmental administration and neglect of an impounded animal.
The pair already faces misdemeanor charges of torturing or injuring animals.
Police say the couple lived with the animals at their "animal rescue / animal shelter" called Little Paws, Big Hearts on Smallwood Road.
The investigation began with an anonymous tip that there were 20 to 30 cats living in deplorable conditions.
Troopers say when they were at the home on Tuesday, the couple gave no information to them despite being directly asked about animals on the property.
More than 75 cats were removed from the home that day, but it wasn’t until late Wednesday that a dead dog was found in a locked room on the property.
A veterinarian determined the dog was still alive when troopers were at the home on Tuesday, but there were no food or water left for the animal, leading to its death the following day.
The building has been condemned.
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| Dead cats were found piled up at the residence |
The Batavia Daily News reports that Hoeppner-Russell was a former board member at Wyoming County SPCA. In 2013 she had reportedly been banned from the Attica shelter and her membership had been revoked.
Hoeppner-Russell and Russell will answer the charges in Warsaw Town Court at a later date.
Animal Control is working closely with the Perry Vet Clinic and other animal rescue personnel in the area to try to find foster homes for some of the animals. Those interested in fostering the cats can contact 585-786-8938 or email wycodogcntrol@yahoo.com
(WIVB - Sept 18, 2014)
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