Hi-Tor President Accused Of Felonies Over Shelter Operations

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — More trouble for the troubled Hi-Tor animal shelter this week —its president faces felony charges over bills submitted to the county for animals brought to the center in Pomona.

Debbie DiBernardo, President of Hi-Tor Animal Care Center Inc, was indicted following a thorough investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit after receiving tips from the public, DA Thomas Walsh announced Thursday.

DiBernardo, 51, faces one charge of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree and 17 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the 2nd Degree.

The accusations date back to the summer of 2020.

Prosecutors alleged that on June 25, 2020, DiBernardo directed false entries related to the intake of 17 animals into the business records at Hi Tor. Then on July 1, as part of her submission of animal documentation to Rockland County Department of Health as required by the contract the shelter has with the county, the DA said she filed an animal intake voucher containing false information, which is a crime as well as a violation of her duty within the contract.

The Hi-Tor Animal Shelter is located in Pomona, NY and was founded in 1973. The shelter annually takes in about 2,000 animals, consisting of mainly cats and dogs, but also including small animals such as rabbits and birds.

When the news broke, Rockland County Executive Ed Day took steps to protect the animals at the shelter. He said in a statement:

While the County of Rockland does not have direct control over the actions of a contract agency such as Hi Tor and we understand that individuals are innocent until proven guilty this indictment creates a serious issue for the operation of this facility," he said. I am requesting an update from Hi Tor by 5 PM tomorrow, Friday, January 7, 2022, which details their plan to continue the safe operation of the animal shelter.

"I have directed our Department of Health to visit the shelter twice daily for the immediate future to ensure the health and safety of the animals. Additionally, I ask that those who regularly volunteer and support these animals continue to do so. Your time and effort in service to these animals is greatly appreciated."

"The County of Rockland remains committed to building a new animal shelter facility and will act now to ensure the health and safety of all the animals currently housed there.

“It is a sad day for Rockland County when an individual who is entrusted with overseeing shelter operations and providing vital services to animals in desperate need stands accused of violating the public's trust," Walsh said. "Members of the community should have confidence that their tax dollars and donations are going directly to assist animals in the shelter."

The Rockland County District Attorney's Office executed a search warrant in August at the High-Tor Animal Care Center.

The county's only no-kill animal shelter has had struggles for years, including with space, money and management, in a facility basically unchanged since 1972.

In February, the town of Orangetown ended its agreement with the shelter to take stray dogs. Day said at the time he was concerned about the county's $8 million investment in the new shelter.

The $8.3 million project is fully funded, with money coming from Rockland County, several state grants, private donations and a contribution from The Hi Tor Animal Care Center.

It was a happy day in October when shelter and county officials broke ground.

DiBernardo was arraigned in Rockland County Court Thursday by the Honorable Judge Larry J. Schwartz and released on her own recognizance. She will return to court on Jan. 18. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney George Del Fierro.

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