25 dogs found living in filth without heat, water
Coeymans, NY (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Dec 4, 2007
County: Albany
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: James Malphrus
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Investigators have seized 25 Chihuahuas from a Coeymans home and charged the dogs' owner for animal cruelty, Coeymans police and the chapter Humane Society announced Tuesday.
The River St. home raid was planned after the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society received numerous reports of animals being kept in unsanitary and unsafe conditions.
Inside the home, investigators found 25 Chihuahua dogs living in filth with no heat or fresh water.
"The conditions were terrible for these poor dogs," said Brad Shear, executive director of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society. "They were cold and afraid... Three of the dogs are tiny puppies still nursing from their mother."
Investigators said they will file criminal charges for animal cruelty against the owner of the dogs.
The house had already been declared unfit for occupancy. Ravaged by two previous fires, the home was supposed to be undergoing repairs by the owner.
The suspect was involved in a similar incident in 2000, investigators say. At the time, he was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution and to give up animals at his residence.
The dogs are currently being housed at the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society's shelter.
Case UpdatesCoeymans police have released the identity of the man arrested on animal cruelty charges Tuesday for keeping 25 Chihuahua dogs in inhumane conditions.
James Malphrus, 80, of 1647 River Road, is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 7 for arraignment on 25 counts of animal cruelty and one count of violating state fire code. All are misdemeanors.
Investigators seized 25 Chihuahuas from Malphrus's home Tuesday after receiving tips the dogs were living in filthy conditions with no heat or fresh water.
The dogs are currently being housed at the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society's shelter.
MHRHS says the dogs will not be available for adoption until it is granted ownership by the courts. The case is expected to take several weeks -- perhaps months -- to process in the system. | Source: CBS Albany - Dec 5, 2007
Update posted on Dec 5, 2007 - 3:40PM |
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