A Binghamton man who was placed on the Broome County Animal Abuse Registry in 2018 was charged Thursday with 42 misdemeanor counts of violating the registry after police seized more than three dozen dogs and other animals from his Clinton Street residence.
John D. Elmer, 44, was arrested after Binghamton investigators executed a search warrant at 34 Clinton St.
Police said 38 dogs, two rabbits and two guinea pigs were taken from the property. The animals were turned over to the Broome County Humane Society for housing and care. Elmer was previously arrested in April 2018 by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office after abuse complaints led to the discovery of 11 animals, including four underweight sheep and a donkey with contagious skin diseases, on property in the Town of Sanford.
The search on Thursday and Elmer’s arrest were in connection to a month-long investigation into animal abuse allegations, police said.
The criminal investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Binghamton Police Detective Bureau at 607-772-7080.
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Elmer placed on Animal Abuse Registry in 2018 following conviction
Elmer was placed on the Animal Abuse Registry after pleading guilty in December 2018 to multiple counts of animal abuse at the Sanford property, including overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide proper sustenance and possessing wild animals as pets.
The Broome County Animal Abuse Registry was created in 2018 by the Broome County Legislature. Lawmakers said the registry was designed to prevent Broome County residents who have been convicted of animal abuse from “adopting, purchasing or otherwise obtaining animals from any animal shelter, pet seller, or other entity involved in the exchange of animals by adoption, sale or other means.”
The registry requires anyone selling, giving away or allowing another person to adopt an animal in Broome County to check the registry prior to any change in ownership.
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