Highlights from the UCSPCA Newsletter

RESCUED!

A Rifton man has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges after he allowed his small dog to suffer for six months from a badly infected leg, overgrown nails and a skin infection. David Roessner, 56, was arrested last month on felony charges and pleaded guilty on May 18th to overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, a misdemeanor under state law. The dog was surrendered to the Ulster County SPCA and Roesner may never again own or possess any type of animal. He was also ordered to pay restitution up to $2,000 as well as an additional fine of $2,000 to be paid to the UCSPCA. The dog named Mickey was treated for injuries at the SPCA and Lake Katrine Animal Hospital under Dr. Michael J. Halstead. Mickey has shown signs of recovery, though due to the prolonged lack of treatment, his right leg may have to be amputated.

UCSPCA Humane Law Enforcement

• A Woodstock, NY woman was arrested in March and charged with 22 counts of Failure to Provide Proper Food and Drink to Impounded Animal, a misdemeanor under state law. Twenty one cats and 1 deceased cat were removed from the residence. Investigators found the house to be in state of disarray with garbage, cat urine and feces covering most surfaces. No evidence of food or water for the cats was found and the cats were surrendered to the UCSPCA. Andrea L. Kopp, 54, of Bearsville, NY was arrested, charged and released on an appearance ticket. The case is being heard in Woodstock Justice Court.

• In March, town police in Marlboro charged a 73-year-old man with three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony under state Agriculture and Markets Law. Thomas Montanya, Jr. was also charged by the UCSPCA with one count of causing injury to an animal, a misdemeanor. He was arrested by the UCSPCA and remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $15,000 bond. Town Police had received information that several dogs had been killed by Montanya and buried on his property. A search warrant was executed and the skeletal remains of 17 dogs were unearthed. Forensic experts at the UCSPCA were able to determine that at least three of deaths were caused by blunt force, probably a shovel. All of the remains were found clustered together in a small area of the farm. Forensic analysis by the UCSPCA resulted in the charge, police said. This case is pending in Ulster County Court.

• In April, an Olive Bridge man was arrested for animal cruelty after UCSPCA investigators discovered 18 dogs living in deplorable conditions. David Delisio, 60, was arrested and charged with 18 counts of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals under NYS Agriculture and Markets Law. The dogs, including adults and puppies, were locked in a tiny area in a barn. The floor was covered with feces, urine and trash, and the dogs were brought to the UCSPCA for evaluation and medical care. Delisio pleaded not guilty to the charges and Olive Town Justice Ronald Wright ordered the dogs returned to their owner pending further court action. Delisio picked the dogs up from the SPCA shelter on April 17. Seven days later two puppies belonging to Delisio were found wandering the road over a mile from Delisio’s home. The puppies were brought to the town supervisor who sent them to a local vet. They were treated and again returned to the owner. The case has been adjourned to July 1, 2009.

• In February, Wendy Ayuso, former owner of the Fins and Feathers pet store in Ellenville, NY, pleaded guilty to one count of Animal Cruelty in the Village of Ellenville Court. Ayuso was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with release conditional upon payment of a $250.00 fine to the Ulster County SPCA and 75 hours of community service. On October 10, 2007, UC SPCA investigators obtained a search warrant following an investigation of animal neglect & abuse at the store. Ayuso, The store’s owner, was arrested and charged with Animal Cruelty. 112 animals and 386 fish were seized (later surrendered) and removed.

Annual Meeting

Our annual membership meeting will be held on Monday August 24, 2009 at 6:00 PM at The Quality Inn in Kingston. Members are invited to attend and will be able to vote for Board members up for election. On the ballot will be Mary Brice, Cindy Caporale, Sue Kivel, Carol Tabasko and Betty Zeeb.

2009 Garden Party

Our Annual Spring Garden Party was a huge success! Thanks to all who participated and congratulations to Marie Creman of Saugerties, NY, the lucky raffle winner. See you at next year’s event!

Thrift Store — A New Home!
 
The UCSPCA is pleased to announce that the Happy Paws Thrift Store is moving to a new location at 282 Main Street in Saugerties – right in the heart of town between Banks card store and M & T Bank. Convenient parking is now located behind the bank.  We hope the move will increase contributions, as all proceeds go directly to the UCSPCA. Come visit us!

Student Leadership:

Wappingers Falls student commissioning artwork for the shelter.

Area students continue to support the UCSPCA through creative fundraising projects. Students from the Woodstock Day School, Rondout Valley School’s National Honor Society, Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls and BOCES in Port Ewen have raised thousands of dollars to rescue homeless animals and prevent needless cruelty. If you’re a teacher, parent or student and want to help homeless animals through creative fundraising, please contact the UCSPCA at 845-331-5377x11.

Rondout Valley School’s National Honor Society Students

Humane Education

A huge thank you to Ms. Augustine and the fourth grade students at Zena Elementary School for donating a carload of items to the animals at our shelter. Donations were presented to UCSPCA’s Humane Educator, Louise Cutler who was invited to speak to students as the culminating event of their community service project. If you would like a Humane Education presentation at your school, please contact Ms. Cutler at 331-5377x10

Adoption Spotlight — in need of love

Mooch: A very big (and exuberant) Rottweiler mix girl. She’d love a family with a lot of room to romp.

Puppito: An adult male Chihuahua. He’s very sweet, housebroken and well trained. Good around cats, too!

UCSPCA Shout Out

On May 5th, over a dozen employees from local Key Bank branches volunteered their valuable time at the shelter for "Neighbors Make a Difference Day." We thank Key Bank for keeping our grounds clean and for their commitment to our community.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Sherman Kenly collected three truckloads of supplies for the UCSPCA! Thank you, Sherman, for setting an example of leadership for others to follow.

UCSPCA Shout Out

All of the shelter's staff want to thank volunteer Eli Rinzler for his innumerable hours at the UCSPCA, caring for animals (and repairing our van, too!). Eli... You Da Man!

Humane Education

A huge thank you to Ms. Augustine and the fourth grade students at Zena Elementary School for donating a carload of items to the animals at our shelter. Donations were presented to UCSPCA's Humane Educator, Louise Cutler who was invited to speak to students as the culminating event of their community service project. If you would like a Humane Education presentation at your school, please contact Ms. Cutler at 331-5377x10.

Low Cost Spay /Neuter Clinic

Thousands of healthy, adoptable animals are euthanized in our area every year because there are not enough homes for them all. According to the Humane Society of the United States, over 3 million cats and dogs are “put down” in US shelters annually. The UCSPCA is proud to be a “No-Kill” shelter; we do not euthanize animals as a convenient means of population control. Working with partners in our community to advance trap, neuter and release (TNR) programs, our low cost spay/neuter clinic continues to work toward humanely addressing the overpopulation problem. By making sure that your companion animal can’t have puppies or kittens, you’ll safely know that their offspring won’t be euthanized in an animal shelter. The UCSPCA’s Spay/Neuter Clinic offers affordable sterilization at $55 for household cats and $20 for feral cats brought to us through TNR efforts. Dogs weighing less than thirty pounds are also accepted. To make an appointment, please call the clinic at 845-331-5377 x16.

Max Hiller, Remembered

The UCSPCA sadly acknowledges the premature passing of a young friend and supporter, Max Hiller, age 16. Max loved animals and was a UCSPCA volunteer. A successful memorial food drive was recently conducted in his name to benefit the animals at our shelter. We offer our thoughts, love and support to Max’s family during this very sad time.

Handy with a Hammer?

The UCSPCA seeks volunteer carpenters, builders and others to assist with routine maintenance at our shelter. Interested individuals may call Brian Shapiro at 331-5377x11.

Volunteer Orientation

Please consider volunteering at the UCSPCA and attend our upcoming orientation meeting on Thursday, July 9th 5–6PM at the UCSPCA shelter. Please call 331-5377x10 for more information.

Happy Tails

Read the happy stories of how amazing people find a perfect match with our amazing animals and live happily ever after.