Two people have been charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty after they allegedly abandoned several animals at the apartment they shared in Geneva and left the state.
Last October, Geneva Police were called to Joseph Shantz’s Rose Street apartment after a relative went to check on him and found a dead cat. That same relative also found two cats and a domestic rabbit that were alive and another cat that was dead. The living animals were seized and placed in the custody of the Ontario County Humane Society.
Necropsies on the dead cats revealed they died of dehydration and neglect.
Shantz was arrested Tuesday after he turned himself in at the Ontario County Jail on another matter. 21-year-old Naomi Sharp was located at the couple’s Farmington home and charged with the same felony.
Both were issued appearance tickets for Geneva City Court.
According to the Humane Society, the two cats and the rabbit are now healthy and will be placed up for adoption in the near future.
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.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here