Unregistered Oneida County Animal Shelter Shut Down

Lucky Dog Rescue of the Mohawk Valley has been ordered to be shut down by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office.

The A.G's office says the group illegally raised thousands of dollars from the public as a rescue shelter, with few animals benefiting from those donations.

“Unregistered organizations that take advantage of the charitable spirit of New Yorkers do a disservice to the causes they claim to support,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Those who donate to charitable organizations should have every confidence that their money is going towards its intended purpose, and our office will hold people accountable when they betray the trust of donors and the communities they serve.”

The case was based on the organization's persistent and active solicitation of charitable contributions from the public while having failed to register as a charitable agency with the New York State Attorney General's Office.

An investigation also found that Lucky Dog told those making donations that the donations were tax deductible, when in fact they weren't.

A restitution hearing will be scheduled by the court at a later date.