New York: Hannah Rowlinson and Christopher Thornton arrested for animal cruelty after starving their pit bull - and lying about it

NEW YORK -- Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of two Avon residents following an animal cruelty investigation.

On April 20th the Livingston County Sheriff's Office received a complaint that a canine had been found in poor condition on East Avon Lima Road (Route 5) in the Town of Avon. The canine was taken to a local veterinarian clinic where it was determined that it was severely emaciated and had pressure sores from lying on its protruding bones.

According to a press release from Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Christopher T. Thornton and  Hannah M. Rowlinson of Avon lied to dog control officers in the first stages of the investigation, saying that ‘Duncan,’ their 3 1/2 year old pit bull, had run away and was missing for one or two months, returning in the starving condition.

“When I picked him up, I think he was just ready to lay down and die,” said Alen Pease, who found ‘Duncan’ and renamed him ‘Lucky’ after the ordeal. “He looked lost.”

Deputies interviewed Thornton and Rowlinson at which time they allegedly admitted "Duncan" was never missing. Statements were taken regarding the fact that they were unable to properly feed Duncan, and at times he was only provided only "some table scraps" for the entire day. This led to Duncan becoming emaciated and developing sores on his body.

Both Thornton and Rowlinson were charged with cruelty to animals. They will appear in Avon Court to answer the charges.

Ownership of Duncan was relinquished and he is currently under the care of a veterinarian. The investigation was handled by Deputies Mann, Williams, Truax, and Sgt. Breu. Assistance was provided by Livingston County Dog Control and the Perry Pet Veterinarian Clinic in Livonia Center.

The best news is that Duncan is expected to make a full recovery and the “Good Samaritan” who had found him in such poor condition is now going to adopt him.

“The dog is free,” said Kathryn Boor, a volunteer with Going to the Dogs Rescue in Perry. “It was nice to see three Deputies come and visit him at the vet’s and check him out. It shows they care and will take the time to investigate these cases.”

(Regional News Network - April 23, 2015)