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Case #17574 Rating: 1.2 out of 5
Monday, Mar 14, 2011
County: Schenectady
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 5 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Wendall F. Smith
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
A local man is wanted for questioning in connection with a case of animal cruelty in Schenectady. That's according to the Schenectady Schoharie and Saratoga SPCA.
A release from the organization says investigators found two dead cats inside the 1519 State Street apartment of 25-year-old Wendall Smith. A third cat, on the verge of death, was rushed to a local veterinarian hospital for treatment.
The case began with a phone call to the local SPCA hotline. Investigators searched the apartment at Monday morning and discovered what they describe as a gruesome scene. Investigators were faced with the smell of decaying animals and feces when they entered the residence. They found two dead cats and one barely living that had apparently been eating the deceased animals.
"This is one of the most disturbing cases of animal cruelty I've seen in a long time," said SPCA Chief Mathew B. Tully in a prepared statement. "We are asking for the public's help in locating Wendall Smith but caution against approaching him," added Tully.
Investigators say the animals suffered from extreme dehydration and emaciation, having been denied food and water for some time. "Despite the best efforts of SPCA Captain Jeremy Noble, who stepped in with life-saving techniques to save the third feline, it does not appear the animal will make it," said Tully.
This is not the first time Wendall Smith has faced animal cruelty charges. He was arrested one year ago in connection with a similar case in Albany County. No word on the outcome of that particular case.
To report animal abuse or provide an anonymous tip, please call our emergency hotline at (518) 755-9517.
For more information about this case or to speak with SPCA Chief Mathew B. Tully, please contact Ali Skinner at (518) 640-1248 or at press@countyspca.org.
Case Updates
A Schenectady man pled guilty to animal cruelty and was sentenced to three years probation for causing the death of several cats earlier this year.
Wendall Smith was arrested in March 2011 after several cats were found dead in his State Street home by the SPCA. Investigators grabbed video of its conditions including the only surviving cat 'Bud' staggering around struggling to survive.
"He is doing great. We look at him everyday and wonder how anyone could have neglected him. He just pours out his love to you," says Bud's new owner.
"The scene inside Wendall Smith's home back in March was one of the more horrific conditions our officers have ever witnessed. It was beyond deplorable," says Schenectady County SPCA chief humane law enforcement officer Mathew B. Tully.
Smith will not be allowed to own any animals during his probation period. |
Source: wten.com - Nov 15, 2011
Update posted on Nov 15, 2011 - 11:02PM |
No other case in Schenectady County has been dubbed one of the most disturbing examples of animal cruelty they've seen in a long time.
A man that investigators say is responsible for the death of two cats was set to be sentenced today but the sentencing has been moved to Oct. 13.
Wendall Smith was arrested last month after police say he left three cats inside an apartment in Schenectady. Two died and the third one was barely alive.
NewsChannel 13 has also learned Smith has been arrested before.
Investigators say last year he left dogs without food or water for days in the town of Berne. |
Source: wnyt.com - Oct 6, 2011
Update posted on Oct 6, 2011 - 3:53PM |
A Schenectady man who allegedly starved two cats to death and forced a third to stay alive by feeding on their remains is in custody today after being detained Sunday night in Saratoga Springs.
Wendall Smith, 25, was charged at 2 a.m. Monday by the Schenectady, Schoharie and Saratoga County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with three counts of failure to provide proper sustenance to the cats, a misdemeanor.
According to SPCA Chief Mathew B. Tully, the Saratoga Springs Police Department picked Smith up in the city Sunday night on a tip from Schenectady police.
After being detained in Saratoga Springs, Schenectady police transported Smith back to their department, where the SPCA administered the charges.
He was arraigned in Schenectady City Court Monday and is being held on $1,000 cash bail or $3,000 bond. As a condition of his bail, Smith will no longer be allowed to possess animals.
Smith is already scheduled to stand trial for another animal cruelty charge stemming from a 2010 incident in Albany County, where he is also wanted on an unrelated warrant. Saratoga Springs officials said they had dealings with Smith in January in relation to a domestic disturbance call, but that no charges were filed at that time.
"He's the classic example of why we not only need to enforce the laws we have now, but also enhance these laws," Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Schenectady/Saratoga, said when asked if he was pleased that Smith was in custody.
He cited the likes of Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy and David "Son of Sam" Berkowitz as examples of animal abusers who went on to commit violent crimes against people.
"This is not only about the least of our creatures, this is about human beings," Tedisco said.
In 1999, Tedisco championed "Buster's Law" â€" named after a cat that was burned to death â€" which classified some animal cruelty charges as felonies.
He is sponsoring a series of bills to toughen penalties and preventative measures for animal abusers, including mandatory psychiatric evaluation for those convicted of animal abuse and measures that would prevent anyone convicted under "Buster's Law" from owning a pet again.
Tedisco is sponsoring the state's first Animal Advocacy Day to push for these laws, scheduled to take place June 1 in Albany.
The third starved cat found at Wendall Smith's apartment, named "Bud" by the SPCA, is eating on its own and is "happy to be around people and purring a lot," according to an SPCA release.
The Schenectady, Schoharie and Saratoga County SPCA is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization of certified peace officers that investigates animal cruelty cases.
The Schenectady-based organization, which has been in operation since 2008, was awarded jurisdiction in Saratoga and Schoharie counties earlier this month.
The discovery of the three malnourished cats was made by SPCA investigators last Friday after a call to their tip line.
Tully said the group runs on donations, and the cost of housing and veterinary care for Bud may reach into the thousands.
Donations can be sent to Schenectady, Schoharie and Saratoga County SPCA, P.O. Box 9516, Niskayuna, NY 12309 or made online at www.countyspca.org. |
Source: saratogian.com - Mar 21, 2011
Update posted on Mar 27, 2011 - 5:17PM |
References
« NY State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Schenectady County, NY
