A Bath woman has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals following a disturbing discovery inside an apartment on Howell Street earlier this month.
According to the Village of Bath Police Department, officers were called to the residence on November 12 for a report of a deceased dog. Inside, they found a pit bull mix locked in a crate with no food or water. The animal had died from starvation. Investigators said there was a full bag of dog food just two feet from the crate, but the dog had been left alone and unable to access it.
The Finger Lakes SPCA assisted in removing the dog’s body. Officers determined that the previous tenant, identified as 30-year-old Kassidy Hall, had moved out and left the dog behind to die.
Police located Hall on November 14 and placed her into custody. She was charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class E felony under New York law. Hall was processed and released on an appearance ticket, as the charge does not qualify for bail under current state guidelines. She is scheduled to appear in Bath Village Court at a later date.
In a statement, the Bath Police Department emphasized that resources are available for anyone struggling to care for their pets. “There is no excuse for this behavior with the number of resources available,” the department said, urging residents to reach out before resorting to neglect or abandonment.
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