February 9th, 2004

Animal Abuse Case Unsolved

A severely emaciated dog who was apparently dumped by it's owner was rescued today at Addison Miller Park, in West Utica at 10 am today. The Pitt Bull Mix dog, Un neutered Male, Black in color, approximately 1 year in age, was severely underweight and could barely move. The dog was found by a West Utica resident late Sunday night. The City of Utica Animal Control Officer, Christopher Collver, responded to pick up the animal. The dog was taken to the Stevens Swan Humane Society for evaluation and immediate care.

The City of Utica Animal Control Division is asking for any witnesses or anyone who has knowledge of this animal to contact the office at 315-792-0108, or e-mail at animalcontrol@cityofutica.com immediately, so that the owner of this animal can be prosecuted. All callers will be kept confidential.

March 11th, 2003

Utica Woman Charged With Animal Abuse

Annmarie Rathbun, (22) was charged with 3 Misdemeanor Animal Abuse charges, 3 city code violations, and 3 Agriculture and Market violations today. The charges arose when Frank Raspante, a Utica landlord, owner of 753 Bleecker Street contacted the City of Utica Animal Control Office to file a complaint.

The landlord was concerned that he had evicted his second floor tenants one week ago, and had apparently moved out and left several dogs behind. City of Utica Animal Control Officer Chris Collver responded to investigate the complaint at 12:15 pm today, and found 3 dogs kept in horrible conditions, locked in an apartment strewn with severe amounts of feces. Officer Collver immediately seized all three dogs, 3 five - month old Pitt Bulls. All three had several open wounds and sores, from apparent fighting. There was also one puppy, approximately 4 months of age, found dead and frozen to the ground in the backyard of the same address. The dogs were taken to Stevens Swan Humane Society to be evaluated and housed.

The owner of the dogs was located at 1019 Bleecker Street and was served several appearance tickets by Officer Collver to appear in City of Utica Court on March 18th, 2003 to answer the charges. The Misdemeanor charges hold a maximum fine of 1year in jail and/or $1000.00 fine for each charge, the violations hold maximum fines of up to 15 days in jail and/or $250.00 fine for each charge. The owner relinquished ownership of the three puppies, and did not state any knowledge of where the dead puppy came from.