Deputies removed 17 dogs and a mix of other animals from a rural home after a neighbor raised concerns about neglect, according to The Citizen. The seizure followed a Dec. 15 complaint about a residence on Lake Como Road in the town of Summerhill in Cayuga County.
Investigators found dogs chained with little mobility and no food or water, undersheriff Stuart Peenstra said. Officers described the animals as underfed and emaciated before executing a search warrant on Dec. 18 with help from the Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY.
In total, authorities seized dogs, rabbits, chickens, cats, snakes, and other small animals. The SPCA now handles the criminal investigation and says the influx forced it to limit hours while focusing on urgent care.
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