Five people have been charged with animal cruelty following the December seizure of 17 dogs and several other pets from a residence on Lake Como Road, according to a report by the Auburn Citizen.
The suspects were issued appearance tickets over the weekend, the Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY told the Citizen. Each faces misdemeanor animal cruelty charges under Section 353 of New York State Agriculture & Markets Law.
Robert Chambers faces seven counts, as does Adrianne Chambers; Robert Chambers Jr. five counts; Michael Chambers four counts; and Rose Bush two counts.
The charges stem from a Dec. 18 search warrant executed by the SPCA and the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office following a complaint from a neighbor. The neighbor reported dogs on the property that appeared emaciated and were chained with limited mobility and no access to food or water. Ages of the suspects were not released.
All five are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Summerhill Town Court. Some of the animals have been signed over to the SPCA for rehoming, while others remain in shelter custody as evidence.
In addition to the dogs, authorities seized seven rabbits, three chickens, two snakes, two cats, one gerbil, one guinea pig, and one turtle. The seizure forced the shelter to limit its hours to meet the animals’ immediate medical and care needs.
Records show Robert Chambers was previously convicted in 2023 of violating state Fish and Wildlife Law, which prohibits the pursuit or harm of protected fish, game, or insects.
Last month, the Cayuga County Legislature approved a local law creating an animal abuse registry and banning convicted abusers from owning animals.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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