Two charged in case of 13 starving horses

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By DIANE VALDEN

CAIRO—The Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA (CGHS/SPCA) and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) arrived just in the nick of time to save 13 horses from starvation.

Last month, CGHS/SPCA cruelty investigators were contacted by a witness who reported that horses at a location on Kirwin Road in Greene County were not being fed or provided with water. A situation that had been going on for months. CGHS/SPCA investigators responded within moments and found 13 horses on the brink of death. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office was contacted immediately. The investigation found that there was insufficient hay, grain and other supplements for the horses. The hay that was present contained mold, which is not suitable for horse consumption. The small amount of grain that was being fed to the horses was insufficient. The more dominant horses were eating the majority of the food that was available, leaving the older, submissive equines without any nutrition, according to a press release.

One of thirteen starving horses examined by veterinarians. Photo contributed

CGHS/SPCA, based in Claverack, brought in a cruelty medical team to assess the horses, treat any medical conditions, and develop a proper feeding regiment, May 17. The team consisted of three veterinarians, three veterinary technicians, and CGHS/SPCA investigators and staff. The horses were assessed using the Henneke system, which measures the amount of fat and overall condition of the horses. This system utilizes a number scoring system of 1 to 9, with 1 being “very thin or emaciated” and 9 being “obese.” After the examinations, the veterinarians found 10 of the horses to be 1 or below (extreme emaciation). In addition, it was discovered that all the horses’ feet were in desperate need of farrier care (trimming).

As a result of the alleged neglect, Farm Manager Skylar Nolan, 25, of Cairo and Farm Owner Vincent Melapioni, Jr., 59, of Staten Island were arrested on charges of animal cruelty. Each was charged with multiple offenses under NY Agriculture and Markets Law Article 26 (cruelty to animals), Section 353 (failure to provide proper sustenance). These charges are class A misdemeanors which can each carry up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

“This is one of the most appalling horse cruelty cases that CGHS/SPCA has ever been involved in. It’s a miracle that these horses survived. There’s simply no excuse for this act of cruelty, and if convicted, these people should never be able to own animals again. We would like to thank Sheriff Pete Kusminsky, Captain Tracy Quinn, and Investigator Charles Cole of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office for the exemplary job they did in investigating and charging the people responsible for the condition of the horses,” Ron Perez, president/CEO and investigator of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, said in the release. The Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA provided proper hay, grain, mineral licks, and necessary medical attention for all the horses.

To donate to help the Cairo Horses, mail contributions to: CGHS/SPCA, Attention: Cairo Horse Cruelty, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534 or donate via the website at cghs.org.

Canaan

State Police Community Stabilization Unit arrested two subjects stopped on Interstate 90 in Canaan for felony drug possession, June 12.

Cash and drugs seized by State Police during a traffic stop. Photo contributed

At 5:15 p.m., a traffic stop was initiated on a Dodge Durango for violations of the vehicle and traffic law. An investigation determined the operator, Stepha Desronvil, 37, of Union, NJ, and the passenger Rachael Dittmer, 27, of Morristown, NJ, were allegedly in possession of approximately 34 grams of cocaine, 5.4 grams of crack-cocaine, 6 grams of methamphetamine, 4.3 grams of heroin, 3.2 grams of fentanyl, 2.5 grams of dextroamphetamine, 7.2 grams of oxycodone, 6.9 grams of Xanax, and over $10,000 in U.S. currency.

Both suspects were arrested for two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony; and two counts of fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony. They were arraigned in Claverack Court where Ms. Dittmer was released on her own recognizance and Ms. Desronvil was sent to the Columbia County Jail.

To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com

Get your child’s safety seat checked

CHATHAM—The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with the Chatham Police Department will host a Child Safety Seat Check at the Chatham Fairgrounds, Saturday, June 22 from noon to 3 p.m. Enter off of State Route 66. The event will be located behind the grandstand.

Swing by for a no-cost car seat check. Parents and caregivers will receive one-on-one installation guidance and safety education from nationally-certified child passenger safety technicians.

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