SULLIVAN COUNTY — The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has made its first arrest for a violation of Dean’s Law, which is the County’s Animal Abuser Registry Law.

On Wednesday June 15, 2022 the Sheriff’s Patrol was called to 36 Coopers Corners Road in the Town of Thompson for a report of two convicted animal abusers who were illegally in possession of animals. At the location Deputy Samantha Cohn found Ashley Young Henderson, 32 and Francis Young Henderson, 32, allegedly in possession of 3 dogs, 4 cats, 1 snake, 2 gerbils and 1 bearded dragon. Both suspects were convicted in 2017 in the Town of Fallsburg Court of animal abuse and required to register with the County’s Animal Abuser Registry. Under the law, they are prohibited from possessing animals until 2024 (7 years). The suspects voluntarily surrendered their animals and were issued appearance tickets to appear in the Town of Thompson on July 13, 2022 at 5:00 PM. This is the first time since Dean’s Law was adopted by the County Legislature in 2016 that someone who appears on the registry has been charged with the illegal possession of animals. Deputy Cohn was assisted by Town of Liberty Constable Joanne Gerow. All of the surrendered animals have been relocated to foster homes pending adoption.

Sheriff Mike Schiff thanked the public for monitoring the Animal Abuse Registry.

“The saying, if you see something, say something, even applies to our animal friends who depend on us to keep them safe”.

The animal abuse registry can be found on the Sullivan County Government’s website, Sheriff’s page at: https://sullivanny.us/Departments/Sheriff/AnimalAbuserRegistry