Animal Cruelty

On July 12, horse farm owner Beth Hoskins was charged with 114 additional counts of animal cruelty. Earlier this year, the SPCA Serving Erie County seized 73 horses and dozens of cats and dogs from her Aurora, NY, property. The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team was deployed to manage the sheltering and care of the seized horses, while the remaining animals were signed over to the SPCA. Hoskins now faces up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, per count.

Despite the pending charges, State Supreme Court Justice Joseph R. Glownia ordered the SPCA to return 40 of the seized horses to Hoskins. The unexpected ruling fell under the condition that Hoskins hire additional employees to care for the animals and adequate care be provided. The SPCA retained the right to inspect the returned horses and to monitor their care—the remaining 33 horses are still under their authority. 

“While the animals were cared for by the ASPCA, they received medical, physical and environmental enrichment vital to their daily well-being—more importantly, time was spent helping them to rebuild their broken spirits,” says Jeff Eyre, ASPCA Northeast Director of Field Investigations and Response. “I can only hope that the same level of proper care will be maintained under these new circumstances.”

Hoskins pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released without bail. She is ordered to return to court on August 18. To date, the total cost of the investigation, including animal care, has exceeded $200,000. Aside from the ongoing criminal case, a civil suit is pending charging Hoskins with the outstanding balance. 

“These are definitely some very serious charges,” said Eyre. “But it’s important to remember that each animal involved is considered a separate charge under the law.”

To read the full account of the ASPCA’s recent intervention, please visit our Raids and Investigations section.

The ASPCA is thrilled to report that 139 adoptions took place at the Elk County Independence Day Adoption Event, and that the remaining cats have been placed with ASPCA partner agencies throughout the country. The nearly 400 severely neglected felines were discovered in late June, living in deplorable conditions at a “sanctuary” known as the Animal Friends of Elk and Cameron Counties in St. Mary’s, PA.

While many of the cats tested positive for Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, it didn’t stop families from opening their hearts and homes to many sweet-tempered cats and kittens.

“The community really stepped forward to support this adoption event,” says Tim Rickey, ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. “One of the most surreal moments of my entire career was standing at the event site wondering if anyone would show up. When a line of 50 people walked up the hill with crates in their hands, I nearly broke down.” The two-day event attracted more than 500 potential adopters.

A crew of nearly 65 first responders, including staff and volunteers from the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, the American Humane Association and PetSmart Charities assisted in the initial seizure, sheltering management and care of the rescued cats. A team of veterinarians, led by Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics, conducted full medical exams and treated any immediate concerns. Also on-site was the ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic, which provided critical spay/neuter services.

“This rescue took an incredible amount of teamwork, patience and faith on everyone's part,” says Rickey. “With so many cats placed, I am proud to say we can walk away from this operation knowing we accomplished something very special.”

Special Thanks!

The ASPCA is immensely grateful for the support of regional organizations and ASPCA partner agencies that offered temporary housing—and eventual, permanent placement—of more than 150 of the rescued cats, including:

Bucks County SPCA, PA
Humane Society of Berks County, PA
Chautauqua County Humane Society, NY
SPCA Serving Erie County, NY
Atlanta Humane, GA
Good Mews, GA
SPCA Tampa Bay, FL
Cat Depot, FL
SPCA Suncoast, FL
Columbia Animal Shelter, SC
Noah's Ark, NJ
One More Smith, NJ

To read the full account of the ASPCA’s recent intervention, please visit our Raids and Investigations section. For more information about animal hoarding, see our Hoarding FAQ.

During the early hours of June 24, members of the ASPCA's Field Investigations and Response Team assisted the Elk County Humane Society of St. Mary's, PA, in the rescue of nearly 400 cats from a sanctuary known as the Animal Friends of Elk and Cameron Counties. More than 50 first responders, including staff and volunteers from the American Humane Association, which also provided sheltering services, and PetSmart Charities, which provided much-needed supplies, assisted in the raid.

Joel Lopez, member of the ASPCA Field Investigation and Response Team, checks in on one of the rescued cats.

The cats—including numerous kittens—were found living in deplorable, overcrowded conditions on the first floor of a two-story commercial building about 120 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The investigation was set into motion after complaints about the facility were received by the Elk County Humane Society, which in turn contacted the ASPCA for assistance.

According to Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics, the cats are suffering from a host of ailments, including upper respiratory and eye infections and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). In addition, many cats are expected to test positive for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)—a highly transmittable disease that weakens the immune system and makes cats susceptible to secondary infections. Several of the cats were found in critical condition.

"The overcrowding and unsanitary environment coupled with the stress of coping with untreated illnesses, has resulted in severe conditions for many of these cats," says Dr. Merck. "Every effort is being made to treat them and make them comfortable, and most appear to be friendly and well-socialized."

The cats were placed into the custody of the Elk County Humane Society and transported to an emergency shelter set up in a nearby location. Once there, a team of veterinarians conducted exams on each animal and triaged any immediate needs. The veterinary team led by the ASPCA's Dr. Merck, included Dr. Rhonda Windam, Anti-Cruelty Veterinarian at the ASPCA, Dr. Jason Byrd, Associate Director of the Center for Forensic Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Dr. Julie Levy, also with the University of Florida, veterinary students from the University of Pennsylvania led by Dr. Michael Moyer and veterinary technicians from the ASPCA.

To aid ASPCA investigators in the collection and management of forensic evidence, the Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit was deployed to the site. The ASPCA's new custom-designed animal transport trailer, mobile command truck and equipment trailer were also on hand.

"We are grateful to be in a position to provide resources and assistance in this overwhelming situation," says Tim Rickey, ASPCA's Senior Director of Field Investigation and Response. "Right now, our primary concern is to get these animals the care and treatment they so desperately need."

Please stay tuned to the ASPCA Blog for updated information on the St. Mary's case.

On June 8, Staten Island, NY, resident Joedennys Malave was arrested and charged with 10 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. The 30-year-old is accused of starving his 6-year-old Pit Bull, Beauty, and her nine newborn pups.

The initial investigation began on May 9, when a neighbor reported seeing Malave walking an extremely thin dog outside of his New Brighton home. ASPCA Special Investigator Mark MacDonald responded to the scene, where he discovered 10 severely emaciated dogs living inside a large cage—all were in dire need of medical attention.

The animals were rushed to ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, where three of the nine puppies received immediate intensive intervention. All of the pups required hourly bottle feedings. Veterinarians performed additional tests to determine whether the dogs' condition was due to neglect or illness. The final report concluded that malnourishment was to blame—all muscle and fat had been exhausted.

"Unfortunately, we see far too many Pit Bulls being abused and neglected by their owners," says Stacy Wolf, Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel of the Humane Law Enforcement Department. "Our goal is twofold—holding perpetrators accountable for their cruel and callous acts and, when we can, giving the animal victims a second chance at a better life in a new home."

In tribute to the characters from Disney's Beauty and the Beast, ASPCA hospital staffers named the now-thriving  pups Lefou, Rose, Juliet, Fifi, Belle, Lumiere, Philippe, Chip and Mrs. Potts. The pups will undergo further rehabilitation before being placed up for adoption. Malave is scheduled to be arraigned on July 8.

If you know of an animal whose health is being compromised by neglect or abuse, please report it. Visit our Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty in your neighborhood.