CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — A former Cheektowaga resident has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges.
Kerisa J. Schmitt, 24, plead guilty in Cheektowaga Town Court to 10 counts of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals, and Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance.
The SPCA was called to Schmitt's residence on Colten Street in Cheektowaga on December 14, 2023 to do an animal welfare check. Investigators say they saw several farm animals inside a small garage in unsanitary conditions through a window. SPCA Investigators and Cheektowaga Police later returned to the home with a search warrant.
Officers say Schmitt failed to provide necessary food, water and care to 156 farm and domestic animals at her home. She had 117 chickens, 18 ducks and geese, 15 rabbits, two goats, two dogs, one cat and one pig.
“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,” said Erie County DA John Flynn in a release.
Schmitt, who has since relocated to West Virginia, received a one-year conditional discharge and has to pay a $1,000 fine. She also had to forfeit custody of all of her animals are part of her plea. The judge also issued a "no animal" order, which prevents Schmitt from owning or caring for any animal for the next five years.
RELATED VIDEO:
