There is a lot of confusion about the Town of Wallkill rottweilers. The media outlets recently covered the story. We want to explain the role that Pets Alive has had and not take credit for anything we have NOT been involved in. There are so many different stories out there and so many misquotes it is getting difficult to see what is factual.
We heard about this situation the first week of March. That is when the complaint was made and the police moved in to assess the situation. After going on the property, they must have seen that they had to pursue much more serious legal action against Sylvia Pinneta and at that time they were authorized to remove only dogs that were in absolute CRITICAL states of needing medical attention, after giving Sylvia the opportunity to do so. From what I understand she was asked to seek medical attention for the dogs that the police department felt needed it most and I believe that perhaps she refused, and as a result they were able to then confiscate those dogs. (again, all of this is between her and the police and I can not speak to what happened, so please understand that I have no knowledge of the legalities involved in this situation).
Those dogs, who we named Josh and Kelli were brought to Pets Alive. Josh had such a badly mangled leg that had been untreated for so long that he was in agony every time he moved, severely malnourished, and very tiny, (most likely a result of having so little care and being in so much pain for so long). We rushed him to Dr. Furman who immediately had to amputate his leg. Josh had a very difficult recovery, but he is now well on his way to moving about comfortably.
Kelli had what appeared to be two broken toes. Again, they appeared to be old injuries where no medical attention had been sought and they had healed facing UPWARD. She limped very badly on them and was also clearly uncomfortable. There was nothing to do for her but to amputate half her foot to remove those toes. Kelli is doing well and is able to run around now. She is now being fostered with a wonderful family who will formally adopt her once this process is over.
The town gathered all their information and got all their ducks into a row and then this week they were finally able to arrest Sylvia on animal cruelty and other charges. Pets Alive has offered to take every single dog from the home, ONCE THE TOWN HAS OWNERSHIP OF THEM.
We can not get into a situation where we take the dogs and board them here and care for them (there are almost 80 of them) while the town goes through Sylvia’s due process, which could take months, or unfortunately even YEARS. Once they do have ownership though, we have stepped up to offer our services and we will work closely with other organizations to make sure all the rotties are properly vetted, cared for and adopted.
So the rotties are NOT here yet. We have a few of them that were in severe medical crisis – Josh and Kelli – and now we took in Eileen – another severely injured (or malformed) dog that needs some serious surgery or additional help. All the puppies were taken out of there (to Middletown Humane) and all the late term, very pregnant females were taken and put into foster by Mountain Rottie Rescue.
NONE OF THE DOGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION YET!
Please do not come here or to Middletown Humane and ask to see them or adopt them. Unfortunately the dogs still “technically” all belong to Sylvia. So until a judge orders their seizure, none of them can be shown or adopted.
However if you ARE interested in adoption, then we would love for you to PRE fill out an adoption application. This way once the dogs do come here, and get vetted, we can immediately have you come down and get first pick of a dog that you might be interested in possibly adopting or fostering!
So I hope that clears up our role. We don’t really HAVE any official role in this. We can’t really ACT or do anything until the police have actual custody of the dogs. We HAVE gone up a few times to assess the situation and help in a minor way but we do plan (and expect) that eventually ALL the dogs will be here where they can be taken care of properly and moved into other rescues and into homes!
We thank ALL of you that are stepping up to help and to volunteer time and services but at this time we only have three of the dogs, and they are not available for adoption yet. There is also nothing else that can be done to help the dogs, until the town has seized full custody.
We will keep you all updated!
And hey…while these pictures are sad…you can also be happy that the police thought enough to come to us and trusted us enough to care for these guys, because –
LOOK AT KELLI NOW!
You can tell by that grin that she knows she is going to be ok now!
I want to make a donation to help with the rescue of these Rotties. I want to make the donation in honor of my best friend Zeus! My 11 year old Rottie who was put down in April 2010. He may be gone from this earth- but is always in my heart and soul and I will be reunited with him again someday. I miss him dearly!!!! Please let me know where and how to make the donation.
Donations can be made at petsalive.com – we have already spent thousands of dollars on the three dogs we have here, so any contribution is very welcome.
Oh gosh! What happened to those dogs. I hope they can recover as soon as possible. I think, they need some Dog physiotherapy for them to have a full recovery.
Thank you for this update and thank you so much for being there for these beautiful babies. I hope everything gets resolved quickly so that they can come to Petsalive to be finally safe and loved. You remind me so often why you are my favorite rescue! I just donated a bit. I hope more people do.
Just one little question to help me worry less about the Rottie babies who are not yet with you. Who will look after them while they wait? Is anyone giving them water, food, medical care, etc? Thank you!
Hello,
Thank God for all of you involved. I am outraged these majestic creatures have lived their life with this “breeder”. Trust me, I have much more colorful adjectives in regards to this “person” I AM ANGRY!
I would like to adopt a male puppy when they become available. I have owned Rottweilers my whole adult life. My 3 year old Rotti recently died from caridac arrest in his sleep 2 weeks ago. His playmate Leonidis, my 1 1/2yr old Rotti, is left confused and alone. Please!! I want to fill out an application so if/when the pups become available., My husband and I are ready,willing and able to give a forever home to a pup in need. Thank you and God bless everyone. I will keep this in my thoughts and prayers. I still cant believe this situation!!! sincerely Heidi Burns, Ossining, NY
I assume they are being cared for, but asking anyway…. Are the dogs left on her property being feed, watered and properly sheltered, and having police or rescues watch over them so the stupid so called owner doesnt harm them anymore? I understand they are still considered hers, and so is the property. I will never understand how some of us are so loving to animals and yet so are so cruel. God went wrong somewhere…. God bless all the rescues that are stepping up to help them.
Kerry, as always, thanks for all you do. I was wondering the same thing as Jade – who is taking care of them until they can come to you?
HELLO, HOW DO I BECOME A FOSTER PARENT FOR ONE OF THE PUPPIIES. I KNOW THAT CURRENTLY THEY ARE BEING EVALUATED BUT PLEASE KEEP ME IN MIND. I HAVE HAD TWO ROTTI IN THE PAST AND HAVE GONE THROUGH EVERYTHING WITH THEM FROM CANCER TO HIP PROBLEMS WHICH EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN INTERNAL BLEEDING. I HAD TO PUT BOTH TO SLEEP BUT HAVE CONTINUED TO FOSTER OTHER DOGS WHO ARE NOW PART OF MY FAMILY. PLEASE KEEP ME IN MIND FOR HELPING OUT WITH THE ROTTI PUPPIES, THEY ARE WONDERFULL, LOVING DOGS. MY ADULT SONS AND 10 YEAR OLD GRAND DAUGHTER HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH ROTTIS AND LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS I DO.
MY WORK # 914-995-3559. I AM A PROBATION OFFICER WITH WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION AND HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGAL FIELD FOR OVER 30 YEARS. I HAVE ADOPTED A GOLDEN RETRIEVER FROM AS FAR AS THE NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEGUE SO TRAVELING IS NO PROBLEM.
THANK YOU
I want Kelli!! 🙂
You can see how Kelli is feeling so much better
Her smile is contagious !
Thanks Jeannie
I would love to adopt a puppy too I had a rottie and i had to put her down 2 years ago and i miss her. THey are great dogs . I would take a male or female. Once you own a rottie, you need to have another one…Please let me know my daughter filled out an adoption application already..
It breaks your heart to see any animal in distress! Especially ones that have been held captive in such unspeakable conditions such as this! I just recently had to lay my BEST friend to sleep. Duke who was a very handsome 6 y/o Rottie who we rescued at 18 months. The thing about Rottweiler owners past and present is that you develop such an affinity for the breed. All dogs warm your heart but this breed sets it on fire! They’re just so multifaceted. They can bee what ever you want them to be. Lovable, loyal, smart; A true “Mans BEST friend”! My wife and I are waiting for the opportunity for one of these guys to be ready for some guidance and TLC. God Speed to all of them Hopfully they have a better future in front of them filled with a toys, treats, clean food and water, a warm place by a families side, guidance and most of all Love!! they need it…..
id be willing to adopt any one, any age of the rotties — currently have a 9yr old lab and a 3 yr old rottie — both good with other dogs.. I have over 20 years experience with Rotties as they are the only breed ive had since childhood.
I too am appalled by this sitution. If you check out her (the defendant’s) website, you would not have a clue. My sister is an attorney who prosecuted these types of cases in Western Ny. She said most likely she will sign some eif ot all of the dogs over as part of a plea bargain. She says that the boarding costs will be prohibitive. On the other hand, these animals are her “business” and she will probably claim she has a significant investment in them. I think that the condition of the two currently rescued says it all and she should forfeit the rest of them. Kudos to PetsAlive for being there for animals in need.
I would be interested in adopting one, preferably female, and have an application on file
Just checking in and the out pouring of emotions and stories from other Rottweiler owners gives my heart great hope. If I receive a healthy puppy or not. I just pray some of these wonderful people responding above have a chance to share their homes, their love. Gods speed for the permanent custody and placement of all the Rotties involved. Heidi, Ossining N.Y.
I went to school with this lady’s kids. She treated them the same way, and no one did anything to help them. I rode the bus with them and I remember one day 1 of them just never came back to school again.
I hope all these dogs get taken out and find a loving home.
To have your voice heard & get charges increased against Sylvia Panetta I was advised by the district attorney’s office to fax a letter to….Senior Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kass at (845)346-1189. I just faxed my letter….please let’s all fax a letter. Let’s be these dogs voices!!
Sixteen or 18 of these dogs went to Rottie Empire Rescue and some of them are now up for adoption. All the rescues really need fosters. If you can open up your home to any of them, please do so by filling out an application.
Thank goodness something has been finaly done. The biggest problem was the town judge who appeared to be friends with her.
Years prior I-SPEAK, Inc. filed a complaint with the SPCA due to horse and dog conditions. She had a local vet stated all animals were fine and the judge dismissed any charges, sealed the records and returned animals. The horse did receive medical care at least.
In 2005 I-SPEAK received a call about horrible conditions regarding the same horse and sick dogs. Though I-SPEAK (International Society for the Protection of Exotic Animal Kind and livestock, inc. ) had been sued at great expense by the woman, it was dismissed, they could not ignore responding again in 2005. Gathering evidence they went to the state police who arrested her. Her attorney warned I-SPEAK “the case will be dismissed as I am close friends with the town Judge” She used the same vet and the judge dismissed charges and sealed records again. Not supprisingly she sued again ( Sylvia Panetta, v. Thomas M. Crowley, Marc Jurnove, Defendants ) and though the court took only her words for everything the jury dismissed the suit. Hopefully her close friends will not have these charges dismissed. The town should keep an eye out for any attempts by thir legal system to prevent it.
Any follow-up reports on this piece of garbage? Any of the charges actually stick? Or will she just walk away, begin acquiring MORE dogs and go right back into this puppy milling business?