"Below is the latest on the Southside Kennel situation. I spoke with Liz
Mackey yesterday and she assures me the dogs that are now being housed with
the SPCA and various kennels are warm, happy and all putting on weight.
The shelters up that way have large yards for the dogs to run and play, so
they are being exercised and socialized.
I will be getting a count of the Vizslas in their custody hopefully today.
I also want to thank everyone for their donations. The SPCA is
overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness of the Vizsla community."
Stay tuned,
Stephanie Fischer
President & Rescue Chair
Vizsla Club of Long Island
_www.vcli.net_ (
http://www.vcli.net)
Northeast Regional Rescue Coordinator, VCA
February 3, 2012
Area kennel owner faces 49 counts of abuse
Staff Report
"Two people were arrested Thursday following an investigation that began in late December at a Worcester farm, state police at Oneonta said.
South Side Dogs kennel owner Frank M. Popolizio, 65, of Schenectady, was charged with 49 counts of animal abuse, troopers said. Farm manager Corrinne A. Kindt, 26, of Central Bridge, was charged with seven counts of animal abuse, police said.
Animal abuse is a class A misdemeanor under the state Agriculture and Markets law, Oneonta station Commander Sgt. Marc Barbera said. The maximum penalty on each count is a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, he said.
The investigation began after troopers were tipped off by a former employee regarding possible malnourished dogs.
About 45 dogs were taken before the arrests and were in the care of the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Oneonta veterinarian Joan Puritz.
About 50 dogs remain at the facility on the farm, which also breeds dogs for sale. In addition to the dogs, there were an unspecified number of cows and horses at the location, Barbera said.
The arrests were made Thursday because the dogs that needed to be removed for health reasons had been taken, he said.
According to the veterinarian working with the troopers, the other dogs were in good enough health to remain, he said.
A call to the SPCA for comment Thursday on the condition of the dogs was not returned.
An employee of Puritz said that some of the 10 to 12 dogs she was caring for have been sent to the SPCA. There are still four to six being cared for, office manager Stefan Marikovics said.
The two arrested were arraigned in Worcester Town Court to return March 6.
Popolizio was released on $9,800 bail, and Kindt was released on $1,400 bail.
The kennel failed a Jan. 6 state Agriculture and Markets inspection and has 30 days to correct the deficiencies"
