2nd Animal Cruelty Arrest Spurs Petition to Lobby Lawmakers

By LANNING TALIAFERRO (Patch Staff) and FEROZE DHANOA (Patch National Staff)

Following the second arrest made in an animal cruelty case involving a Danbury Pet Shop, New York State Senator Terrence Murphy announced the launch of his Protect Our Pets Petition in an effort to put pressure on the Assembly to pass what he calls crucial legislation that seeks to provide added protection to animals across the state.

“Every day my wife and I teach our three kids about right and wrong,” Murphy said in a prepared statement. “Any case of animal cruelty is not just wrong but sickening to hear about. I was proud to sponsor and support several key pieces of legislation this year which would protect our pets and ensure those who do harm animals are held accountable for their actions.”

This week, an animal cruelty complaint involved the owner of a chain of three pet shops with a store in Mohegan Lake, one in Danbury and one in Wappingers Falls.

Officials charged the owner Richard Doyle, 55, of Mahopac, N.Y., with counts relating to the care of two dogs and a kitten, two of which were euthanized as a result of mistreatment. A manager at the store Kathy Seton, 29, of Cold Spring, N.Y., is also facing animal cruelty charges.

Related:

• Pet Shop Owner Failed to Care for Sick Animals: Cops
• Manager at Danbury Pet Shop Also Facing Animal Cruelty Charges

Doyle was also charged with cruelty to animals in 2011. Commenters on the Puppy Mill Awareness Facebook page accused him of frequently selling sick pets.

A Florida woman, Lori DePalma told Patch she purchased a Yorkie at the Danbury store in May for $1,900 when she was visiting family in New Fairfield.

“When I got her, her eyes were a little red and she was sneezing a little,” DePalma said. “A couple of days later she had a cough.”

DePalma said she took her dog to Plumtrees Hospital in Danbury where she found out the puppy was suffering from kennel cough. The yorkie has been on antibiotics every day except two weeks since DePalma got her. DePalma said her other dog as well as her daughter-in-law’s got sick as a result.

A former employee at the pet shop at Mohegan Lake told Patch Doyle would have the employees administer shots to the animals illegally. The employee alleged that Doyle would threaten workers at the store if they did not treat the animals.

The employee said Doyle would treat the animals at home to avoid paying veterinary bills.

“There was a pomeranian that was dying and the guy didn’t care,” the former employee said. “I was force feeding the dog to keep it alive but it could barely stand.”

Margaret Cunzio, a foster for the SPCA of Westchester in Briarcliff Manor and Second Chance Rescue NYC, said the common-sense legislation will protect animals across our state from those who do them harm.

“As the owner of seven rescue pets, I thank Senator Murphy for his leadership on this issue and encourage residents to add their name to the Protect Our Pets petition,” she said.

In June the Senate passed S.3451, which was authored by Murphy, that would increase the penalty for multiple convictions of torturing, killing or failing to provide sustenance to an animal to a felony, if convicted within five years from the date of a prior conviction. The measure passed with overwhelming support of 61-1.

In addition to S.3451 Murphy is also calling for the passage of S.4265, which would make it easier to prosecute people causing serious injury to a companion animal. Further, S.3201would modernize animal cruelty laws to promote consistent enforcement by law enforcement officials and the courts, and “Buster’s Law,” S.2935, would establish a public registry of people convicted of animal cruelty.

Constituents are encouraged to sign the petition to show their support for the animal rights legislative package.

Image One: Richard Doyle

Image Two: Kathy Seton

Image Three: American Breeders located in Danbury, one of the three stores owned by Doyle, Image via Google Street View