Sandy Creek, N.Y. — Around 60 animals living in poor conditions were removed from a property in Oswego County on Friday, according to the Oswego County SPCA.
Jeffrey D. Zehr, 44, of Pulaski, was arrested and charged with torturing or injuring animals and failure to provide proper sustenance, a misdemeanor, according to State Police arrest records.
Around 9:30 a.m. Friday, the Oswego County SPCA said rescuers began removing animals from the property in the town of Sandy Creek.
“This is probably one of the worst rescues our organization has ever been on,” the group said in a video posted to the organization’s Facebook page.
Among the animals rescued were horses, cows, chickens, cats, guinea pigs, exotic birds and lizards, according to the video. The SPCA said several mares were pregnant and urgently needed safe stalls for housing.
State Police declined to release any details about the number of animals seized or their conditions, saying they are part of an active investigation.
The rescue involved several agencies and volunteers. The Oswego County SPCA thanked the State Police for their work during the operation and North Country Veterinary Services for assisting with the medical needs of the animals.
Rescue partners also included Oswego City Animal Shelter, All Creatures Big and Small Pet Rescue, Oswego Humane Society, and Kirkville Animal Rescue and Education, along with additional community members who offered assistance, according to the SPCA.
In 2019, Zehr was charged in a separate animal cruelty investigation in Jefferson County.
In that case, troopers said they found sick and dead animals on a farm in the town of Lorraine.
Troopers discovered a horse that had been dragged and a calf in extremely poor health, both of which had to be euthanized, troopers have said. Troopers also found dozens of other animals without adequate food or water and multiple dead animal carcasses on the property.
