JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office and the Chautauqua County Humane Society announced a formal partnership Friday to expand animal cruelty enforcement, including a dedicated deputy assigned specifically to investigate those cases.
The announcement came days after Jamestown Police arrested two people accused of beating a puppy.
On June 6, officers responded to Winsor Street for a report of two subjects beating a small puppy. Cheyanne Alcorn and Arthur Hubbard were each charged.
Sheriff Jim Quattrone said the volume and complexity of animal cruelty cases drove the decision to assign a dedicated deputy.
"These cases are complicated, and this is why we felt that we needed a dedicated deputy to handle animal cruelty. It really needs some specialized training, and that's what we're doing with this, the current animal cruelty deputy," Quattrone said.
"It is our duty and our responsibility to the community, no matter what, to take care of these abused and neglected animals," Jane Babinsky, executive director of the Chautauqua County Humane Society, said. "The bottom line is helping the victims of abuse and neglect, and we are hopeful that the legal system does not fail the animals."
The Humane Society serves as 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, and that 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 still be too small.
State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor were also in attendance.
"Animal cruelty is often viewed in isolation, but it has significant connections to broader criminal behavior," Molitor said.
"Doing this today is going to help put us on the right path," Borrello said. "The right path to make sure that these animals are properly cared for."
Molitor also raised concerns about changes to Article 25C of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law that took effect at the end of 2025, saying the regulations have placed unintended burdens on rural animal shelters, including increased paperwork, new regulatory costs and an increased risk of closure.
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 on the Chautauqua County Humane Society's website or by calling the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at (716) 753-2132.
WATCH: Chautauqua County leaders expand efforts to combat animal cruelty
