Geneva authorities removed 12 animals — two dogs and 10 cats — from an apartment on Main Street on Dec. 12 after a witness reported seeing the apartment owner strike a dog, officials said.

The seizure was the result of a complaint that prompted a coordinated, multi-agency response. The Ontario County Humane Society, the Geneva Police Department and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Main Street residence just before 11 a.m. on Dec. 12 and took custody of all 12 animals so they could be evaluated and cared for, according to statements from the agencies involved.

Investigators identified the two dogs as a Pitbull and a Rottweiler. Veterinary staff treating the animals confirmed both dogs and all of the cats were suffering from parasites. Several of the seized cats were underweight and were being treated for ear infections, the humane society said. All of the animals were taken to the Happy Tails Animal Shelter, operated by the Ontario County Humane Society, for evaluation and ongoing medical care.

Geneva City Code Enforcement also inspected the apartment unit and documented the living conditions. Inspectors reported “unsanitary conditions and noted an unbearable odor,” and identified several code violations at the property, the agency said. Those findings were recorded as part of the multi-agency response and will be reviewed as officials continue their investigation into the circumstances that led to the complaint.

Agency officials said the animals were removed “for their safety and health” after officers and humane society staff arrived. The humane society said its staff provided immediate veterinary evaluation and treatment at the scene and after transporting the animals to its facility.

The Ontario County Humane Society, Geneva Police Department and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office each played distinct roles during the response: law enforcement handled the complaint and secured the scene, humane society personnel performed animal welfare assessments and provided medical care, and city code enforcement documented housing conditions and any municipal violations. Officials said the collaborative approach allowed for a rapid assessment of both the animals’ health and the living environment.

Local reporting on the incident was published by area outlets, including 13WHAM and the Finger Lakes Times. Those reports provide additional context about the agencies involved and the steps taken after the initial complaint was filed; see reporting by 13WHAM and the Finger Lakes Times for background.

Officials reiterated that the animals are under veterinary supervision while agencies complete their review of the property and the circumstances surrounding the complaint. The humane society said it will continue to provide necessary medical treatment and monitoring as staff work through intake protocols for seized animals.

At this stage, authorities emphasized that the seizure and documentation of the unit’s condition are part of an ongoing review; they did not release further details about potential next steps in the investigation or about the status of the apartment owner. The humane society and the law enforcement agencies involved said they would provide updates as appropriate while the review continues.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.