Owner of A Canine Gem faces additional charges
Hillary Davis, owner of Beekmantown Animal Rescue, appeared in court Wednesday to answer to the additional charges. Davis now faces two additional counts of animal cruelty, as well as one count of false advertising and a fraud scheme. Davis initially pleaded not guilty in March to 48 counts of animal cruelty as well as four counts of forgery and two counts of fraud. And possession of a forged instrument. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office confiscated a total of 49 dogs owned by Davis in February, after reports emerged that they were suffering from malnutrition and living in poor conditions. Two of those dogs have since died from illnesses that were not treated under care. Volunteers and staff from the Elmore SPCA made a large presence at the Beekmantown courthouse, advocating for the welfare of the affected dogs. Rebecca Moss-Patnaude, executive director of the Elmore SPCA, stressed the importance of speaking up on behalf of the dogs throughout the legal process. “We want to make sure that our voices are heard by the dogs throughout this entire process,” Patnode said. During a court appearance on Wednesday, prosecutors asked Davis to relinquish control of any animals during ongoing court proceedings, citing concerns that caring for the dogs could hamper the animals’ ability to appear in court. However, Nicholas Ivanovich III, Davis’ defense attorney, argued against this. “You have animals,” Ivanovich said. The judge ultimately rejected the prosecution’s request. Despite the new charges, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office has not ruled out the possibility of more charges. “The prosecuting attorney,” said Major Nicholas Leon of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. Meanwhile, the remaining dogs from the rescue remain in the care of the Elmore SPCA. Patnode reiterated the community’s stance against animal cruelty: “We want rescues to do the right thing. We’re supposed to be in it to help dogs. We want to make sure animal cruelty is not tolerated in our community,” Patnode said. Dozens of dogs have been adopted into new homes, and several are still being held in the Clinton County Jail. Davis is scheduled to appear again in court on June 12, and has been released on her own recognizance.
Hillary Davis, owner of Beekmantown Animal Rescue, appeared in court Wednesday to answer to the additional charges.
Davis now faces two additional counts of animal cruelty, as well as one count of false advertising and a fraud scheme.
She is at the beginning Not guilty In March to 48 counts of animal cruelty as well as four counts of forgery and two counts of possession of a forged instrument.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office confiscated a total of 49 dogs owned by Davis in February, after reports emerged that they were malnourished and living in squalid conditions. Two of those dogs They have since died from diseases that were not treated under care.
Volunteers and staff from the Elmore SPCA made a large presence at the Beekmantown courthouse, advocating for the welfare of the affected dogs.
Rebecca Moss Patnode, executive director of the Elmore SPCA, stressed the importance of speaking up on behalf of the dogs throughout the legal process.
“We want to make sure that our voices are heard by the dogs throughout this entire process,” Patnode said.
During a court appearance on Wednesday, prosecutors asked Davis to relinquish control of any animals during ongoing court proceedings, citing concerns that caring for the animals could hinder her ability to appear in court. However, Nicholas Ivanovich III, Davis’ defense attorney, disagreed.
“I think this is good communication with her to maintain the status quo and show that she takes the allegations against her seriously, and that she does not own or own animals in any way,” Ivanovic said.
In the end, the judge rejected the prosecution’s request. Despite the new charges, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office has not ruled out the possibility of bringing more charges.
“The investigation will continue as long as we find information about possible violations of the law. We will refer any further charges to the District Attorney for prosecution,” said Major Nicholas Leon of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.
Meanwhile, the remaining dogs from the rescue remain in the care of the Elmore SPCA. Patnode reiterated the community’s stance against animal cruelty.
“We want rescues to do the right thing. We’re supposed to help dogs. We want to make sure animal cruelty is not tolerated in our community,” Patnode said.
There were dozens of dogs Adopted to new homesMany of them remain in custody at the Clinton County Jail.
Davis is scheduled to appear again in court on June 12, and has been released on her own recognizance.
