Kennel-Owning Couple Guilty Of 'Horrific' Animal Abuse

WARWICK, NY — Two Hudson Valley kennel operators were found guilty by a jury of animal abuse that was described by prosecutors as "horrific."

On Friday, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said Daniel Duthie, 73, and Lauretta Duthie, 73, of Warwick, were convicted following a jury trial in Warwick Town Court of the misdemeanor charge of "overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance" in violation of the state's Agriculture and Markets Law.

They both face a maximum sentence of up to one year in the Orange County Jail, a $1,000 fine and substantial restitution for money spent on the care and maintenance of dogs seized during the investigation, according to authorities.

The Duthies will also be required to register with the Orange County Animal Abuse Registry and will be prohibited from owning dogs for 15 years.

They will be sentenced July 12.

Prosecutors said the charges against the couple stemmed from a complaint made by a former employee who was working for Laurdan Kennels LLC, which was operated by them on their property.

Members of the Town of Warwick Police executed a search warrant Nov. 22, 2019, for a cottage that was located on the Duthies' property and removed a 13-year-old blind and deaf English Springer Spaniel named Jenna, who was found wandering inside the cottage, along with 11 other dogs who were found to be living in cages and steel kennels.

Authorities said Jenna was found to have a baseball-size ulcerated tumor on her back that had become infected and smelled of rotting flesh. She also had an injury to her forehead and heavy matting on her legs.

Evidence at the trial showed the Duthies were aware of Jenna's condition more than a year earlier and ignored the recommendations of two veterinarians to have the tumor surgically removed. The couple also moved the dog from the main house to the cottage, where she was found living with the other dogs in dirty conditions and without fresh air.

Hoovler said the case was particularly disturbing in that the people who perpetrated the "horrific" abuse were in a position of trust to care for animals.

"Animals are amongst the most vulnerable victims of crime," he said. "My office will continue to give a voice to the voiceless and to hold accountable anyone who would hurt or mistreat an animal in this way."

Hoovler thanked the Town of Warwick Police Department for its investigation and the arrest of the defendants along with the assistance of the Town of Warwick’s Animal Control Officers. He also thanked the Warwick Valley Humane Society, the Mid Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue and the veterinarians who examined the dogs as well as the foster families who cared for the animals.