PALENVILLE — Two adolescent dogs are alive and a Greene County man is facing charges, thanks to the quick actions of police and local rescue groups.
Zackery Diehl, 29, of Palenville, was arrested Thursday night and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty, said Capt. Tracey Quinn of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
Police released few details of what occurred with the dogs, but confirmed the abuse was physical, and not a nutrition or shelter issue, Quinn said.
The dogs involved are litter mates, both are six-month old pitbull-mix, said Jesica Farkas, Columbia-Greene Humane Society shelter manager.
The male is named Scoob and the female is named Paris, Farkas said.
“The Sheriff’s Office did an outstanding job in investigating and removing Paris and Scoob from what is alleged by witnesses as an absolutely horrid cruelty situation,” said Ron Perez, Columbia-Greene Humane Society president and CEO.
The investigation began Thursday after the sheriff’s office received a complaint of possible animal abuse, Quinn said.
After Diehl was charged, the dogs were surrendered to police and were turned over to Hyer Ground Rescue in Catskill for the night, Quinn said.
The dogs were brought to a safe location and were checked on hourly until they were taken to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society on Friday morning, said Jamie Hyer-Mitchell, founder of Hyer Ground Rescue.
“Due to the tenacity of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and Capt. Tracey Quinn, two more innocent lives were saved,” Hyer-Mitchell said.
Once at the shelter, the dogs remained slightly nervous Friday morning, Farkas said.
The dogs are currently under the care of the shelter, and after a full examination and a rehabilitation period will be up for foster/adoption to their new forever home, Perez said.
“We’re optimistic with the help of our trained staff the pups will make a complete recovery and lead a full, happy life in their new home without the threat of cruelty in their lives,” Perez said.
After he was charged Thursday, Diehl was issued appearance tickets for Town of Catskill Court, Quinn said.
Perez is confident the Greene County District Attorney’s office will deliver justice for Paris and Scoob, he said on Friday.
“Hyer Ground Rescue will continue to support and collaborate with law enforcement and hold accountable those who maliciously abuse or mistreat animals in our community,” Hyer-Mitchell said.
“On behalf of Paris and Scoob and a grateful Humane Society, we’d like to thank the Greene County Sheriff’s Office for a job well done,” Perez said.