CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — A woman was arraigned Wednesday on animal cruelty charges.
According to the Erie County District Attorney's Office, 24-year-old Kerisa J. Schmitt of Cheektowaga was arraigned on 154 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, failure to provide proper sustenance and 154 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal.
According to the news release, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, SPCA officers were called to Schmitt's home on Colton Street in the Town of Cheektowaga to perform an animal welfare check.
While outside of the home, officers allegedly saw numerous farm animals inside of a small garage in unsanitary conditions through a window. After the initial call SPCA investigators and the Cheektowaga Police later returned with a search warrant for the property.
Schmitt is accused of failing to provide necessary food, water, and care to 156 farm and domestic animals on her property, which included 117 chickens, 18 ducks and geese, 15 rabbits, two goats, two dogs, one cat, and one pig.
The animals were allegedly found in unsanitary conditions without proper access to food and water.
“I want to thank our partners at the SPCA Serving Erie County for their work in this investigation and the care they have provided to the many animals rescued from this home,” Erie County DA John Flynn said.
Schmitt was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to return to court on Thursday, Feb. 29 for a pre-trial conference. She was released on her own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.
Also, at the request of prosecutors, the judge issued a “no animal” order, which prevents her from owning or caring for any animals while the criminal case is pending.
On Wednesday Schmitt surrendered five animals that remained in her possession.
If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.