Senator Joe Griffo has praised the State Assembly for acting on a bill this week that would increase the penalties for killing a police dog. Griffo co-sponsored the companion bill in the Senate which passed in March. While the bill has passed the Senate in previous years, this year marks the first time that the measure passed the Assembly. The concern drew more attention this spring, after the shooting death of an FBI-canine, "Ape," in Herkimer, during a police building-to-building search. Currently, under New York State law, those who harm a police canine can only be charged with a Class-A misdemeanor. This bill increases the penalties for killing or injuring all law enforcement and emergency services canines by making it a Class-D felony. The Senate is expected to send the bill to the Governor for his consideration.
Lowville Firefighters responded to a Town of Watson business Thursday morning. The Lewis County Fire Coordinator's Office reports that dispatchers received a report at around 9:11 a.m. of a fire at Miller's Meat Market on the Number 4 Road. Fire Chief on Scene Tim Bush reports that the fire started as a grease fire in the smoker machine that is used to smoke meat. Minimum damage was reported to the structure with some loss to the contents. 1 employee was taken to Lewis County General Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Lewis County Public Health is asking for the assistance of the public in trying to find the owner of a dog that has bitten a person. The bite reportedly occurred Wednesday evening on State Route 26 in the Town of Denmark area of Deer River. The dog in question is a black, white and brown Collie/Shepherd mix with long hair. The dog has been captured and is being held at Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Lowville, awaiting identification by its owner. It is necessary to determine whether the dog is current on its rabies vaccination. Anyone with information on this dog or its owner is encouraged to contact Countryside at 376-6563 or Lewis County Public Health at 376-5453.
The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority has announced that through its partnership with Waste Management, they will double the renewable energy output from the Ava Landfill. We spoke with Executive Director William Rabbia, who has more.
A 25 year old Camden man was arrested after an investigation into the mistreatment and subsequent death of his dog. According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, Ian West was charged after the dog had been taken from his residence by Town of Camden Animal Control on May 17th and died on May 20th due to its deteriorated health condition. West was arraigned in the Town of Camden Court on a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals and ordered to be held in the Oneida County Jail with bail set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
A 31 year old Lowville man was charged with criminal mischief 4th degree. Lowville Police report that Matthew Ortlieb was charged with allegedly puncturing the rear tires of a pickup truck on South State Street. Ortlieb was arraigned in Village of Lowville Court & was remanded to the Lewis County Jail on $400 cash bail.
An incident earlier this morning led to charges for 2 people. Lowville Police report that 40 year old Penny Tucker was charged with disorderly conduct after Officers responded to a report of a fight at around 1:04 a.m. this morning at Baker's Lounge on South State Street. During the incident, Police also charged 33 year old Clarence Merry of Lowville with possession of an open alcohol container for allegedly consuming alcohol on the public sidewalk in front of the bar. Both subjects were issued appearance tickets returnable to Village of Lowville Court.
