AR-News: (NY - US) URGENT ALERT: D.A. okays animal neglect!

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URGENT ALERT: N.Y. D.A. O.K.s Animal Neglect!
Published 3-26-04 (Oppenheim, N.Y.) 
SPECIAL NOTE FOR ANIMAL ADVOCATES IN NEW YORK: We need your support to send a clear message that animal neglect will not be tolerated. Be sure to read the EVENT NOTICE at the end of this article! 

Last November, James and Henriette Fagan of Fulton County, N.Y., were arrested for allegedly neglecting more than 200 animals on their property in the town of Oppenheim. The Fagans reportedly kept the animals — including horses, rabbits, goats, guinea pigs, dogs and a variety of other species — in filthy conditions without adequate food, water or veterinary care. When officials from the Fulton County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals came to seize the animals, they found at least six already dead, and some of the others died soon afterward. 

The surviving animals are now receiving proper treatment in shelters around the state. Yet, incredibly, the D.A. has reportedly told some of these organizations to get ready to return some of the animals to the Fagans! To make matters worse, the Fagans have yet to be charged with animal neglect even though the D.A. could have brought up to 230 such charges months ago. 

Two similar cases — involving more than 100 allegedly neglected animals — are also pending in Fulton County. If justice is to be done, the D.A. needs to be reminded that animal neglect and abuse are serious crimes. 

To urge the prosecutor to uphold New York's laws and prosecute this case (and cases like it) vigorously, fax a letter to: 

Louise Sira, District Attorney 
Matthew E. Trainor, First Assistant
Fulton County District Attorney 
223 West Main Street 
Johnstown, NY 12095 
Fax: 518-762-2042 


Demand that the Fagans be ordered to receive mandatory psychological treatment, pay restitution to the shelters for the cost of caring for their animals since November and be banned from future ownership of animals. 

So that ALDF and its allies can track the responses sent, please send a copy of your letter to: 

Jeff Eyre, Director Humane Services 
Spring Farm CARES 
Fax: 315-737-8507 


To read a newspaper article detailing the neglect allegedly suffered by the animals in this case, click here. 

EVENT NOTICE: The Fagans’ hearing will be held at the Town of Oppenheim Justice Court at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31. Concerned citizens in New York state are encouraged to attend. The D.A. and judge need to see that the community at large takes animal abuse seriously! ALDF will post an address for the Justice Court and directions to Oppenheim in the near future. 



Animal Legal Defense Fund
www.aldf.org