SO: Animal Abusers Illegally Owned 11 Pets in Sullivan County, NY

Officers in Sullivan County made what they say is a first-of-its-kind arrest.

On Thursday, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a historic arrest. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office made its first arrest for a violation of Dean’s Law which is the Sullivan County’s Animal Abuser Registry Law.

Police Arrest Two At Home in Town of Thompson, Sullivan County, New York

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On Wednesday, June 15, the Sheriff’s Patrol was called to 36 Coopers Corners Road in the Town of Thompson for a report of two convicted animal abusers who were illegally in possession of animals, police say.

At the location, the deputy found 32-year-old Ashley Young Henderson and 32-year-old Francis Young Henderson allegedly illegally in possession of three dogs, four cats, one snake, two gerbils and a bearded dragon, officials say.

Both suspects were convicted in 2017 in the Town of Fallsburg Court of animal abuse and required to register with the Sullivan County’s Animal Abuser Registry, police say.

Sullivan County Couple Accused of Illegally Owning 11 Pets

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Under the law, they are prohibited from owning animals for seven years, until 2024.

Sheriff Mike Schiff thanked the public for monitoring the Sullivan County Animal Abuse Registry.

“The saying, if you see something, say something, even applies to our animal friends who depend on us to keep them safe," Schiff stated.

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The suspects voluntarily surrendered their animals and were issued appearance tickets to appear in the Town of Thompson on July 13. All of the animals have been relocated to foster homes pending adoption, police say.

"This is the first time since Dean’s Law was adopted by the County Legislature in 2016 that someone who appears on the registry has been charged with the illegal possession of animals," the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office stated in a press release.

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Hudson Valley Summer Things to do Bucket List

From Hand Craft Spirits to Live Music Concerts there are so many things to do in the summer in the Hudson Valley I really had to narrow my list. After all, there are only so many weekends in July and August.

Grab a Bite at One of These Excellent Eateries Just Off I-84

These 7 Prisons Are The Most Violent In New York State

New York released a report with the most recent number of violent assaults on inmates in state prisons. There were 134 inmate deaths noted in the report, although it doesn't break down the prisons where each death occurred or who caused them. Here's a look at some of the general violent incidents reported for 2020, which is the most recent data reported by the state. Compared to 10 years ago, inmate assaults have almost doubled. In 2011 there were 666 and in 2020 there were 1,205 reported. These numbers do not include inmate assaults on staff members. Overall, the number of unusual incidents includes things like assaults, deaths, accidents, sexual misconduct, and disruptive behavior. According to the state,

"The number of unusual incidents has increased 132% from 5,980 in 2011 to 13,870 in 2020. These higher incident numbers were largely due to increases in assaults on incarcerated individuals (+81%), assaults on staff (+86%), contraband (+130%), disruptive behavior (+372%), and staff use of weapons (+1,035%)."

In 2020, 1,836 weapons used to cut or stab, including ice picks, razor blades, can lids and shanks were discovered in state prisons around New York.