Two Accused of Torturing Dogs, Cats And Goats By Abandoning Them At Home Now They Face — Misdemeanor — Charges

Two people in New York face charges for torturing animals that were abandoned, police said.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of Harvey L. Martz II and Laurie S. Murray on June 7. They were arrested in Herkimer, New York

Investigators said the two left dogs, goats and cats on a property where they briefly lived, according to the sheriff’s office. They have not lived at the property since June 2021.

Deputies went to the property earlier this month and found 10 Shih Tzu breed dogs, three goats and several cats. About two dozen cats were unable to be retrieved and will be trapped later, according to the sheriff’s office.

The dogs were left in a small room, suffered from matted hair and were covered in feces, according to the sheriff’s office.

Two dead goats were also found on the property, police said.

The couple was each charged with 10 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals: failure to provide sustenance. They were issued appearance tickets and are set to return to court at a later date. The charges are all misdemeanors.