On January 30, 2025 New York State Environmental Crimes Investigator Peter Jackson responded to a call from a concerned resident who reported finding the carcass of an animal believed to be a coyote near Skinner Road in the town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County, NY. Investigator Jackson arrived at the location and determined it was a domestic dog that had been shot from the roadway.
The next day, while following up with neighbors in the area, Jackson reported that he observed a small black and white puppy wandering near the area where the deceased dog was found.
Environmental Conservation Officers reported that an investigation led to the owner of both dogs and they determined that the subject had been traveling through Jefferson County to either abandon the dogs or leave them with a friend when the larger of the two dogs jumped into his lap, causing him to crash his vehicle into a guard rail.
Investigators say the man then allegedly shot and killed the larger dog out of anger and then abandoned the puppy.
The man was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (misdemeanor), discharging a firearm over a public highway (misdemeanor), abandonment of animals (misdemeanor), and aggravated animal cruelty (felony).
He was arraigned in Jefferson County Criminal Appearance Court and is being held in the Jefferson County Jail until a future court date in March.
Investigator Jackson took the puppy to Jefferson County Animal Control office for a check-up and eventual re-homing.
Photo of abandoned puppy provided by DEC.
Source link
