Beekmantown dog rescue owner arrested on 50+ charges

BEEKMANTOWN | The highly scrutinized owner of A Canine Gem dog rescue has been formally arrested on more than 50 charges relating to the neglect of nearly 50 dogs in her care. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office said Hilary A. Davis, 57, was arrested March 5 on 48 counts of torturing or injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance, as well as six felony forgery charges. The arrest came more than a week after a multi-agency raid at the Ashley Road dog rescue where 49 dogs were seized- some with obvious and severe ailments and malnutrition. One dog was later euthanized due to the progressed state of neglect. Davis pleaded not guilty to the charges in Beekmantown Town Court, accused of failing to provide proper sustenance and/or shelter for the dogs and for allegedly forging documents relating to the animals slated for adoption. She was later released on her own recognizance and will reappear in Beekmantown Town Court and Plattsburgh Town Court to face the allegations. The Sheriff's Office and Elmore SPCA are continuing to provide medical care and housing to the seized animals in a secure underused portion of the county jail facility. Davis faced similar allegations in Vermont before coming under scrutiny in the Town of Peru, where she briefly operated the rescue on Bear Swamp Road reportedly in violation of town zoning laws. After coming under public and town criticism there, Davis relocated to Beekmantown roughly a year ago. The Sheriff's Office launched the latest investigation following numerous complaints from pet owners who adopted from the rescue. The 48 surviving dogs have received overwhelming support both financially and with needed supplies in the days following their rescue. On Tuesday, Elmore SPCA shifted its donation platform to PayPal after experiencing ongoing issues with Square donations. Donations can also be made on its website at www.elmorespca.org. Elmore volunteers have been actively updating their Facebook page with developments in the ongoing care of the dogs. "We thank all of you that have given so generously and have supported the needs of these dogs in so many thoughtful ways," Elmore SPCA said as it navigated the outpouring of support at both the fully occupied shelter in Peru and Sheriff's Office temporary housing. The shelter is temporarily closed with volunteers spread thin between the needs of both locations. "Please do not stop by the shelter unless you have made an appointment and have confirmed with Carol," shelter volunteers said Monday. A drop box remains available outside for any delivered goods. Applications for the adoption of animals housed at the Telegraph Road shelter are still being processed and coordinated through scheduled appointments. Due to the pending criminal case and legalities of ownership, the dogs seized from A Canine Gem cannot currently be adopted or fostered. Bringing them back to optimal health remains the ongoing priority of both agencies and veterinarians involved. The Sheriff's Office has also reiterated that "Due to the nature of the confinement space of the Clinton County Correctional Facility for this matter as well as the fact of this being an ongoing investigation, any and all volunteers assisting the Elmore SPCA, Inc. must be cleared and pre-approved by both the SPCA and the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. We must reiterate that people shall not show up to the Sheriff's Office without prior approval and without being scheduled by both entities." Both agencies have applauded the community's continued support and said financial donations are the best way to help ensure the continued medical treatment and care needed. Among the many fundraisers and raffles launched in the days following the rescue, Beekmantown Central School District students have come together for a district-wide 'Coins for Canines' drive running March 6-March 22 with all proceeds to help Elmore SPCA. Those with students in the district can send monetary donations with dedicated collection points at each school. Sheriff's officials said, "We can't state enough how much it means to those involved at the outpouring of support over this case."

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Beekmantown dog rescue owner arrested on 50+ charges

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