Corinne J. Speights, 28, of Ontario, New York, faces 144 animal cruelty counts and four animal abandonment counts after an investigation involving four cats, according to September 19 reports by WHAM and News10NBC citing the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators allege that the cats were confined in unsanitary conditions and deprived of food or water over an 18 day period, WHAM reported. Deputies said a search of the residence found trash and animal waste.
Three cats transferred to the Humane Society
Deputies seized three of the four cats during the search and transferred them to the Humane Society of Wayne County, both outlets reported. Neither account explains the fourth cat’s whereabouts or gives a medical update on the seized cats.
The charges and the court appearance
The 144 cruelty counts concern alleged failure to provide sustenance; the four abandonment counts are additional charges. The published accounts do not explain how investigators arrived at 144, so a per cat or per day calculation cannot be confirmed.
Speights was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Ontario Court, the reports said. Neither gives a court date. The charges are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Sources
How we reported this: WHAM and News10NBC rely on the same sheriff’s account. Buddylio read both reports and checked the shelter’s identity, but has not obtained the charging documents or the sheriff’s statement about this case.
