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13 dogs found in Duanesburg storage locker
Posted at: 06/15/2012 11:37 AM
| Updated at: 06/15/2012 6:45 PM
By: Emma Levine
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DUANESBURG – Twenty animals were rescued Thursday in Duanesburg after New York State Police received a call from the owner of a self storage facility saying he heard dogs barking and whimpering. A Duansburg mother and son were charged in connection to the incident.
The Schenectady County SPCA said that state police arrived at the scene and found 13 Chihuahuas in four mid-sized crates covered in feces and urine. Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer David Dean said the animals were locked in the storage unit after an initial SPCA investigation on Wednesday was getting too close for comfort.
SPCA officers went to 3868 Western Turnpike, Lot 117 in Duanesburg on Wednesday after getting a call about a possible puppy mill. Once officers arrived, they cited the owner with six no dog license violations.
“We could smell the feces in the house and knew the conditions were not suitable for any living creature. We asked to search the property at which case the owners would not allow us. We told them that we will obtain a search warrant and be back. It was then that thirteen of the dogs were taken off the property and stuffed in the crate and locked away in the storage unit next door,” said Chief Dean in a statement.
According to the SPCA, in addition to the 13 Chihuahuas, six more dogs and one cat were also rescued on the owner’s property next to the storage unit facility.
Catherine Wallace of Duanesberg has been charged with 20 counts of animal cruelty and her son, Michael Wallace was charged with 13 counts of impounding animals without food or water.
Authorities say Catherine has been cited for animal violations in the past and the SPCA is asking anyone with information regarding past incidents to call their hotline at 518-755-9517. Calls remain anonymous.
