Dogs in alleged abuse case at SPCA until hearing

BY JASON WHONG

The dogs seized by Chemung County Humane Society and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Inc. on Sunday in a suspected animal cruelty case will be held at the shelter at least until the arraignment of their owner.

Michael Seymour, 28, of Levittown, Pa., is scheduled for arraignment on charges of animal cruelty on Sept. 7 in Erin Town Court, said Jaclyn Pfaehler, public relations and marketing coordinator for the Chemung SPCA in Big Flats.

However, Sept. 7 is Labor Day. The town court's recorded telephone message says the town does hold court on Mondays, but not on holidays.

Pfaehler said the two pit bulls are "doing well, for what they've been through."

The dogs are living in a separate room in the shelter so they can stay calm, and they are walked three times daily, she said.

A veterinarian had examined the dogs, Pfaehler said. The dogs had no broken bones or internal bleeding, she said.

State police at Horseheads, who arrested Seymour, said he apparently became upset when his dogs ran away from a home on Park Hill Road in Erin.

When the dogs returned, he allegedly tied them to a tree and whipped them with a nylon rope.

He then allegedly tied the dogs to the hitch of his truck and drove in circles in the yard with the dogs attached, police said.

Depending on the outcome of legal proceedings, the SPCA will return the dogs to the owner, offer them for adoption or send them to a pit bull rescue society...." More

August 18, 2009: Man arrested after beating and dragging his dogs

A man was arrested Sunday by State Police for animal cruelty after police say he beat his two dogs with a rope and then dragged them behind his truck.

Michael Seymour, 27, has addresses listed in both Levittown, Pennsylvania and on Park Hill Road in the Town of Erin, which is where police found him Sunday. They say Seymour became upset after his two pit bulls got away.

According to police, when the dogs returned, he tied them to a tree and whipped them with a nylon rope. He then tied the dogs to the hitch of his truck and drove around in circles.

The pit bulls are alive and in the custody of the Chemung County SPCA where they have been examined by a local vet.

"Whenever we hear charges like this, animal cruelty charges, our hearts really go out. And we here at the SPCA are so committed to the humane treatment of animals. It breaks our heart when we hear this, but we're doing all we can for them right now and we feel confident that they'll receive the care they need," said Jaclyn Pfaehler.

Seymour will be in court in September. A decision will be made then on whether the pit bulls are returned to their owner or placed for adoption..." More & video