Dog neglect - 3 seized, 1 found dead
Ellisburg, NY (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Jun 27, 2005
County: Jefferson

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» David Ashley
» Emily Ashley

Two people in Jefferson County were arrested June 28, 2005 for leaving their dogs out in the heat without any water. Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff's arrested David and Emily Ashley. The husband and wife are charged them with animal cruelty. Officials say when they went to their residence on Comstock Road in the Town of Ellisburg, they found one dog, a terrier, tied to a tree with no shelter or water in the ninety degree heat. It was dead.

"He was out in back of the house, tied up to a tree. The water bowl that was there was tipped over and no water in it," said Jefferson Co. Sheriff John Burns.

Burns says this isn't the first time they were at the residence to warn the Ashley's of abuse. It wasn't even the second.

"They were warned on three different occasions, starting June 3rd. The deputy went back and checked again a few days later. Finally the third time, he found that the dog was deceased and he charged them," Burns said.

Burns says his department will not put up with any animal cruelty, and he expects everyone to treat their animals the same as they would a human.

"With this extreme heat you have to keep yourself hydrated, if you're in your car with the windows down and the air conditioner going. Certainly for the pets, you have to keep them hydrated," he said.

A town justice ordered the removal of the other three dogs from the Ashley residence. They were taken to the Jefferson County SPCA, where they are being treated.

The SPCA says they are in good condition and seem to be doing just fine. As for the Ashley's, there is a court order saying they can never get those dogs back.

The Ashley's are in Jefferson County Jail in lieu of $500 bail

References

• News 10 Now - June 28, 2005

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