UPDATE****State Police investigate an animal cruelty case in Liberty, NY

UPDATE: $500 Reward to Find Those Responsible for Abandoning Two Dogs and Two Cats in Apartment

The New York State Humane Association, headquartered in Kingston, NY, is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for abandoning two dogs and two cats in Loch Sheldrake, located in Sullivan County. State Police found the two deceased dogs and two emaciated cats confined to an apartment.  Necropsies revealed the two dogs died of starvation. The cats were removed from the apartment and are being cared for. The animals were left without food and water inside the apartment for an extended period. It is not clear how long ago the animals had been abandoned.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Miesha Bentley and Vitoriano Moreira, both formerly of Loch Sheldrake.  They are both being charged with felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty. Animal felonies are punishable by up to two years in county jail and misdemeanors by up to a year.

Anyone with information on this case should call State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Liberty NY at (845) 292-6600. Refer to Case # 8693531. All calls will be kept confidential.

The New York State Humane Association has conducted animal cruelty investigation workshops for police and humane investigators throughout the state for the past fourteen years and has offered rewards in the past to assist in police investigations.

********************************************************************

State Police Liberty are investigating an animal cruelty case in the town of Fallsburg.  Two Pitbulls were found starved to death in a vacant home along with two emaciated cats. The two pet owners have been identified as Miesha Bentley, age 28 and Victoriano Moreira, age 28, both of Loch Sheldrake, Investigation revealed that Bentley and Moreira agreed to care for the animals after their former owners could not keep the animals because of new apartment regulations. Bentley and Moreira left the residence and left no food or water for the animals. A necropsy of the two pitbulls determined that they died from starvation.

Two arrest warrants have been signed and issued by T/ Justice Amanda Ward of The Town of Fallsburg Court. The arrest warrants are for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals AM 353-A, class E Felony and  Failure to Provide Sustenance AM 353, class A misdemeanor. (Agriculture and Market Laws)

Both Moreira and Bentley have ties to Manhattan.

State Police Liberty are asking anyone with information to contact SP Liberty at 292-292-6600