New York: Sheltie breeder Jill Hamilton, 63, pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charges

NEW YORK -- A Gardiner woman pleaded not guilty Wednesday to eight counts of animal abuse, appearing in town court for the first time since the Ulster SPCA seized five of her dogs over the weekend.

Jill Hamilton’s home at 130 Dusinberre Road was filled with “debris, rotten garbage, and waste, both human and canine,” according to a statement from the SPCA.

Hamilton, 63, is charged with five counts of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor, and several counts of failure to provide proper food and drink.

“The conditions these dogs were forced to live in is appalling, conditions even more offensive given the apparent certification of this location as a breeding operation,” Adam Saunders said in the statement. He is executive director of the Ulster SPCA.

Hamilton is a registered American Kennel Club breeder of Shetland Sheepdogs, operating under the name “Adalia Kennels”, the statement said.

 

 

Hamilton declined comment after the court appearance. She is due back in court April 13.

The Ulster SPCA is also demanding in a civil suit that Hamilton pay $3,400 in medical expenses and care of her dogs at the SPCA shelter in Kingston. The dogs are named Carly, Finn, Luna, Bart and Helen.

(Record Online - March 31, 2016)

Earlier:

• New York: Sheltie breeder Jill Hamilton, 63, owner of "Adalia Kennels" arrested on animal cruelty charges