26 rabbits living in filthy conditions
Wawarsing, NY (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 1, 2010
County: Ulster
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Juan Caniglia
The Ulster County SPCA on Thursday seized more than two dozen rabbits from a man previously charged with animal cruelty.
Brian Shapiro, executive director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said investigators removed 26 rabbits Thursday morning from the home of Juan "Victor" Caniglia at 18 Foordmore Road in Wawarsing.
Shapiro said Caniglia was charged by SPCA investigators last December after authorities discovered nearly 100 neglected exotic birds and three rabbits in a small outdoor shed at his home.
In that case, Caniglia pleaded guilty earlier this month in Wawarsing Town Court to one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty under New York's Agriculture and Markets Law and was fined $2,200. The court also ordered Caniglia not to own or possess any birds or rabbits.
Shapiro said Thursday's inspection of Caniglia's property found the rabbits living in filthy conditions and that some of them were in very poor health.
Shapiro said Caniglia was not home when the rabbits were removed and that investigators may request an arrest warrant because the animals were owned in violation of the court's order.
Animals also were seized from Caniglia in 1994, according to Shapiro.
Many of rabbits rescued on Thursday are ready for adoption. Interested parties should call the SPCA at (845) 331-5377. References |
