Diane and Paul Marriott of Fort Plain and their son Joseph Marriott of Gloversville were arrested on Monday and charged with 52 counts of animal cruelty. Fifty puppies and dogs living in filthy conditions were seized from an unheated barn in New York's Mohawk Valley State Route 5S where the Marriotts previously lived.
A now defunct Facebook page called "Sickpuppyz Pitbull Kennels" garnered an immense amount of criticism and public outrage as unhealthy and chained dogs appeared in photos. A petition to stop the breeding facility has already garnered over 2,000 signatures.
According to the Times Union.com, a search warrant on January 3 to the barn resulted in the seizure of 51 dogs; many in poor health. Dogs and puppies suffered from frostbite, open sores and wounds, had only frozen water, and lived in deplorable conditions filled with feces and urine.
The dogs have since been removed and have been transferred to several shelters and rescues. They are not available for adoption yet.
Joseph Marriott was also charged with second degree possession of marijuana and aggravated harassment for allegedly threatening a local shelter employee. A Feb. 25 court appearance has been scheduled.
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