Dog Seized In Petersburgh

by Alex Brooks
Tipped off by a Rensselaer County official who had visited the residence on other business, State Police went to the residence of Belinda Stevens at 1509 State Route 2 in Petersburgh on July 22 and asked to see her dog, which was found to be in poor health. At first, Petersburgh Dog Control Officer Lynne Torello-Burns seized the dog because it was unlicensed. Then the troopers went to the Town Offices and asked Town Justice Paul Montgomery to come down and hear a request for an order to seize the dog. Montgomery granted the seizure order based on the testimony of state troopers.
According to NY State Trooper Sgt. James Doyle of the Brunswick barracks, the Petersburgh Dog Control Officer took the dog, a German Shepherd, to Drumm Veterinary Hospital in East Greenbush. The veterinarian said the dog was in poor condition, had fleas, untreated ear infections, was not using one of its legs and generally had not been cared for properly.
On July 27 the owner was arrested by NYS Trooper Denave, arraigned before Petersburgh Town Justice Robert Sears, charged with violation of New York State Agriculture & Markets law and demanded to pay expenses for care of the dog. She was released and the matter is scheduled for a hearing in Town Court in early September.