Kevin Pierce and Courtney Cotter were each charged Friday with 62 counts -- 31 for overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance and 31 for failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animal.
Officials found 15 dogs, 4 rabbits, 8 cats, and 1 chinchilla in Pierce and Cotter's trailer. Urine and feces were strewn throughout the home and officials had to wear respirators and protective gear to be able to enter the premises.
SPCA executive director Jim Bouderau said officials seized the pets and found three dead ones at their home after a five or six month long investigation.
The SPCA released the following statement Monday:
On Friday December 11th, The SPCA of Tompkins County filed charges against Kevin Pierce and Courtney Cotter in the Town of Newfield stemming from a hoarding investigation and subsequent seizure of 28 animals on November 11th.
As a result of a lengthy and ongoing investigation, the couple was charged with 31 counts of violating NYS Ag and Markets Laws section 353: Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance and 31 counts of violating section 356: Failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animal.
The couple will be arraigned at the Town of Newfield court on Tuesday December 15th at 4:00 p.m.
The case began several months ago as a result of complaints from diligent neighbors and involve individuals known to the SPCA for some time now.
The same couple was prosecuted in 2010 when the SPCA seized 98 animals living in similar conditions. SPCA officers found 15 dogs, 4 rabbits, 8 cats, and 1 chinchilla, along with the remains of three previously deceased animals, in a trailer living in complete squalor. The residence was covered in urine and feces, and garbage and debris was strewn everywhere.
The SPCA Humane Investigators, along with veterinary support from Cornell University Shelter Medicine Program, had to wear respirators and protective gear to be able to enter the premises. They were able to remove the animals from the dwelling safely and collect evidence over the course of a few hours. The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office was also on site for assistance.
The animals were taken to the SPCA for full medical evaluations and recovery. Many of them were dehydrated, covered in feces, severely infested with fleas and ear mites, and most were not spayed or neutered. Many have already tested positive for intestinal parasites. Necropsies are being performed to determine the cause of death of the other two animals.
SPCA executive director Jim Bouderau says, “This is a horrible situation, especially knowing that three animals did not make it. It is amazing that 28 animals had survived living in these horrendous conditions. While this is not the largest case we have ever seen, it was certainly one of the worst in terms of living conditions.”
The majority of the animals seized have already found new homes and been adopted.
98 animals seized in 2010
Five years ago on Jan. 27, officials seized 98 animals from a one-bedroom trailer at 18 Creamery Road in Brooktondale.
According to court documents from the town of Caroline court, officials took 36 cats, 51 dogs, 6 guinea pigs, three chinchillas and two rats.
The floor and walls of the trailer, the records state, were covered in feces and urine. Several dogs were kept in wire crates with no access to food or water.
The records state that the only available food left out for the animals was 1/2 of a cup of dog food covered in mold and 1/4 cup of water.
"Upon entering the residence, the odors of animal feces, urine and decomposing animals were overpowering" investigators wrote in the court documents.
A dead cat and two dead guinea pigs were found at the trailer, and one dog had to be euthanized for displaying "extreme aggression."
Nearly all the animals had intestinal parasites, which later resulted in an outbreak of Giardia -- a microscopic parasite that causes diarrheal illness -- at the SPCA.
The documents state that Cotter and Pierce both accepted a plea deal for misdemeanor animal cruelty and were sentenced to three years of probation.
According to WBNG News, the pair were originally charged with 39 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and 39 additional counts of failure to provide proper sustenance, food, and water.
No comments:
Post a Comment