52 Animals Rescued from Cobleskill Home in Horrific Neglect Case—Public Demands Justice
Dozens of Animals Found in Squalor in Schoharie County
In a deeply disturbing case of animal cruelty, 52 animals were rescued from a home in Cobleskill, New York, after local authorities received a tip about alleged neglect. The discovery has shocked the community and ignited urgent calls for justice. From flea-ridden cats and dogs to traumatized birds and even deceased animals, what responders found was heartbreaking.
Sign the petition to demand a lifetime ban on animal ownership for the individuals responsible.
Veterinary Medical Director Aprille Hadsell and her team from the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley responded quickly alongside the State Police and the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office. Over an eight-hour rescue mission, they removed nine dogs, sixteen cats, two ferrets, two parakeets, two cockatiels, one rabbit, and numerous hens and roosters from the home.
“Every single one of our dogs and cats has been horrendously flea-infested. We’ve got dogs with overgrown toenails,” Hadsell reported. The animals were in such poor condition that staff could not leave a single one behind.
Signs of Severe Trauma and Loss
One dog, named Ivory, was found caged and terrified, but still seeking affection from shelter staff. A kitten named Skunky found comfort in the arms of a staff member, showing the first signs of trust. But not all animals were so lucky. Some were found deceased, victims of prolonged and fatal neglect.
“The conditions were such that we had no choice,” said Maggie Jackman Pryor, the shelter’s Executive Director. “We took every living animal from that property. The ones that survived now need significant medical care and emotional support.”
A Shelter Overwhelmed, But Determined
With over four dozen animals now under their care, the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley faces a massive challenge. The cost of veterinary care, food, and rehabilitation is still being calculated, but staff say the emotional cost is already immense.
Some animals are showing signs of progress. A hen previously wary of human contact is slowly becoming social. But many others are deeply traumatized and will require months of treatment and socialization before being considered for adoption.
Shelter staff are encouraging anyone who suspects abuse to speak up. “I know sometimes people think their voices go unheard, but they don’t,” said Pryor. “We are forming a task force to address animal cruelty head-on in Schoharie County.”
Time for Action
The community is reeling, and rightfully so. This wasn’t a case of one or two neglected pets—this was systemic abuse on a massive scale. The neglect that occurred in Cobleskill cost lives and endangered many others. And while the surviving animals are now in caring hands, they should never have endured this in the first place.
It’s time to hold the abusers accountable.
Justice for these animals starts with us.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- “Rotting on the Porch”: Over 30 Animals Rescued, Public Demands Lifetime Ban & Justice
- Over 50 Animals Rescued From Neglect—Now the Public Demands Justice
- China’s People Say “No” to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival: Sign Petition to End This Cruelty for Good
- Ohio Man Tried to Strangle His Elderly Dog to Avoid Euthanasia Fee—Now the Public Demands Justice for Tinkerbell
- Demand Justice for Dogs Left to Starve by Heartless Owners
