The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the Chautauqua County Humane Society have joined forces to intensify their efforts against animal cruelty. This partnership, announced on a recent Friday, includes the assignment of a dedicated deputy to investigate cases of animal abuse and neglect.
This initiative comes in the wake of several disturbing incidents, including the recent arrest of two individuals accused of beating a puppy in Jamestown. The collaboration aims to address the growing number of complex animal cruelty cases in the region.
The Partnership and Its Goals
Sheriff Jim Quattrone emphasized the need for specialized training and a dedicated deputy to handle the intricacies of animal cruelty cases. These cases are complicatedand this is why we felt we needed a dedicated deputy to handle animal cruelty. It’s really needs some specialized training, and that’s what we’re doing with this, the current animal cruelty deputy.
The Chautauqua County Humane Society plays a crucial role in this partnership, providing housing and care for animals seized during investigations. Jane Babinsky, the executive director, highlighted the shelter’s responsibility to the community, stating, It is our duty, though, and our responsibility to the community, no matter what, to take care of these abused and neglected animals.
Recent Incidents and Legal Concerns
On June 6, Jamestown police responded to a report of two individuals beating a small puppy on Winsor Street. Arthur Hubbard and Cheyanne Alcorn were charged with cruelty to animals. Hubbard was held pending arraignment due to prior failures to appear, while Alcorn was released with an Appearance Ticket.
Earlier that same day, another incident involved a pit bull found with a charging cord tied around its paws, causing the puppy to yelp and cry. Daysean Braswell-Adams was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.
Assemblyman Andrew Molitor raised concerns about changes to Article 25C of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, which took effect at the end of 2026. These changes have placed unintended burdens on rural animal shelters, including increased paperwork, new regulatory costs, and an increased risk of closure.
Community Involvement and Future Plans
The Humane Society serves as the designated housing and care provider for animals seized during investigations. Babinsky noted that cases involving large numbers of animals strain the shelter’s limited space and resources. The shelter operates solely on donations and receives no special funding for the care of seized animals. Cases can last anywhere from one month to a year.
The shelter has plans to expand and renovate within the next three years, though Babinsky said it will likely still be too small. State Sen. George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor also spoke at the announcement, emphasizing the importance of this initiative.
Animal cruelty is often viewed in isolationbut it has significant connections to broader criminal behavior, said Molitor. Doing this today is going to help put us on the right path, the right path to make sure that these animals are properly cared for, added Borrello.
A free training hosted by Humane World for Animals is scheduled for July 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Quattrone said the training is open to law enforcement officers, shelter employees, code enforcement officers, dog control officers, judges, and prosecutors.
Residents who suspect animal cruelty are encouraged to report it through the Chautauqua County Humane Society’s website or by calling the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 716-753-2132.
