AURELIUS, NY — A 68-year-old man is facing an animal cruelty charge after authorities say multiple dogs were left inside a residence for months.
Kenneth E. Reeves, of Mentz, was charged May 3 with failing to provide proper sustenance for animals under Article 26 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, according to Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck.
Deputies responded April 27 to a residence in the town of Aurelius for a possible animal cruelty investigation.
The investigation spanned several days and discovered that multiple dogs had been left inside a residence for months on end.
The owner of the dogs had been returning to the property and provided some food and water.
However, the investigation uncovered that the dogs had not been taken outside for an extended period of time, nor had the inside of the house they were kept in been cleaned.
Deputies uncovered conditions that were unlivable for any animals inside the residence.
Deputies were assisted in the investigation by the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York.
The dogs were removed from the uninhabitable residence to another location.
Several of the dogs were also surrendered to the care of the SPCA.
Reeves was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the town of Aurelius Court on May 20 at 6 p.m.
