(Photo via Pexels).
Two Cortland County residents were arrested on Sunday for animal cruelty, according to a release from the Cortland County SPCA Law Enforcement Department.
SPCA obtained an arrest warrant and worked on a collaborative investigation with the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office and county residents that began in December, the release noted.
According to the release, James R. Williams, 37, and Paige L. Hewitt, 26, of Bacon Road in the town of Cortlandville was not properly taking care of an adult dog and five puppies at their residence. The issue stemmed from complaints that the SPCA and law enforcement received from nearby residents.
Williams and Hewitt were arrested and charged with six counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal. The release stated the duo’s charges were related to the conditions that dog and puppies were kept in.
Williams and Hewitt were released and are now due to appear in Cortlandville town court on Feb. 28.
The release noted all six animals are being properly taken cared for by different owners and were not present at the time of the arrest.
