Help Support Maximum Sentence for Hidden View Farm Animal Abuser
The New York State Police Seargeant chose to leave abused and starving animals at Hidden View Farm in Seward, New York, with the farmer who abused them and left them to die. These animals have been living with no food or water and continue to suffer. The suspect is believed to have inflicted heinous abuse upon these animals, including horses, cows, dogs, and more. A botched arrest is at the bottom of this disastrous decision as the animals could have been, but were not seized at the time of the arrest. The farmer is charged with 2 counts of animal cruelty and reports indicate he could have been facing at least 15, if not more. According to NYS Agriculture and Markets Law, Section 373 (4), any agent or police officer involved in an animal cruelty arrest has the authority to seize custody of those animals at the time of arrest. These animals were not removed and the suspect was released without bail and within hours. The SPCA were ready to receive these animals and transfer them to an animal sanctuary.
We, the undersigned, have become aware of the heinous torture and abuse of animals on Hidden View Farm in Seward, New York. Mr. Gregory Casalaina stands accused of not only starving his animals, but leaving them to suffer and die while under his care.
It is well known that the responding police officer chose to leave the animals in Casalaina's care after finding them malnourished, weak, dehydrated, and in the midst of others already dead and in varying states of decay. The arresting officer had the authority to seize these animals and place them in the care of the SPCA. According to NYS Agriculture and Markets Law, Section 373 (4), "any agent or police officer involved in an animal cruelty arrest has the authority to seize custody of those animals at the time of arrest". The officer chose not to do so and pursuant to this decision, the New York State Police Sergeant further chose to leave them in Casalaina's care. We see these unfortunate decisions reflective of disregard for these suffering animals and participatory in the continuation of the torture already inflicted on them. These decisions are incomprehensible as the SPCA was prepared to take receive the animals and transfer them to an animal sanctuary. Please take a stand with us for justice in this case.
We implore Mr. Gregory Casalaina be accountable for his crimes to the maximum extent of the law. We implore the decision that Mr. Casalaina be prevented from ever owning animals in the future. We implore that the Hidden View Farm animals be turned over to the SPCA and placed into the animal sanctuary awaiting their arrival. We implore investigation into the decisions made by the New York State Police Officer on behalf of justice for these animals who cannot speak for themselves.
Thank you for taking the time to review this petition and for your investment in this case.
Sincerely,
