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Law and Order: Woman accused of mistreating pit bull

By Howard B. Owens

Nina M.E. Kelso, 29, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with torturing or injuring an animal/failure to provide sustenance and owning/haboring an unlicensed dog. Batavia PD responded to Kelso's residence at 6:08 p.m., Feb. 4, to investigate a report of a maltreated/malnourished dog. Officers allegedly found a pit bull identified as Kelso's dog that was malnourished and weak. The dog was reportedly unable to stand or move on its own. The dog was also unlicensed. The dog was taken to Batavia State Street Animal Hospital and continues to receive treatment and care.

Johnnie Waston

Johnnie M. Waston, 30, unknown address, Rochester, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd, and criminal trespass, 2nd. Waston allegedly entered the apartment on State Street of somebody he did not know at 1:54 p.m., Sunday, and remained in the residence unlawfully. Waston allegedly provided a fake name to police and was later recognized and identified by jail personnel. Waston was found to have an active bench warrant for his arrest out of the city court in Rochester.

Scott R. Merrill, 45, of Darien Center, is charged with DWI. A state trooper reportedly observed a vehicle stop at the Colby Road railroad crossing, which at the time had flashing lights and the gate arms down, indicating an approaching train. The vehicle allegedly proceeded around the gates and narrowly avoided being hit by an Amtrak train. The vehicle was stopped and Merrill was taken into custody following further investigation.

Rodney Lowell McKenzie, 49, of Weaver Street, Buffalo, is charged with inhalation of toxic vapors. McKenzie was reported found at 11:51 a.m., Feb. 5, sitting in his vehicle allegedly huffing keyboard cleaner. He was also charged with petit larceny for allegedly shoplifting from Walmart.

Danny Jay Torok Jr., 26, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with assault, 2nd. Torok allegedly started a fight with another inmate while incarcerated at the Genesee County Jail.

Mark Andrew Kempie Jr., 45, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kempie allegedly stole merchandise valued at $13.67 from Kmart.

Gary Edwin Gerevics, 55, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and criminal contempt, 2nd. Gerevics was allegedly found in possession of firearms in violation of a court order of protection. He was jailed on $3,000 bail.

Jason A. Klinkbeil, 25, of 50 South St., Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant. Klinkbeil turned himself in on a warrant for alleged failure to comply with drug court. He was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Nathan Paul Crawford,18, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with public lewdness. Crawford allegedly exposed his genitals to another person while on East Main Street, Batavia, at 5:46 p.m., Feb. 5.

Suzanne M. Corona, 44, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Corona is accused of stealing from a location Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, at 8:38 p.m., Saturday. She was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Jacob J. Lentz, 24, of Aurora, Iowa, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Lentz was stopped at 10:50 p.m., Saturday, on Albion Road in Oakfield by State Police.

Deborah L. Smith, 55, of Spencerport, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle while on highway. Smith was stopped by State Police at 11:25 p.m., Friday, on Route 63, Town of Batavia.

Lisa Schwab

I hope there is a Judge in this town that will do the right thing and put this piece of trash away for a long time. What kind of sick and twisted person would do that to any dog. There is something very wrong with anyone who is that evil and they should be punished. We need to stop slapping these jerks on the hand and make them do some hard time and maybe then they will think twice!!!! Batavia is going down hill at a fast pace.

Feb 10, 2014, 4:03pm Permalink
Steve Hackett

This comment is directly for you Nina kelso!... How society would let you raise kids let alone a dog is beyond me....IF YOU ARE FOUND GUILTY....We will all be judged someday and you my dear will get yours. If I were the judge in this case and you were FOUND GUILTY , I would throw the book at you and the podium....i hope you sleep well at night and don't forget " WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND!!!!!....if you are FOUND GUILTY.....

Feb 11, 2014, 4:31pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Between here and facebook seems like Nina has a checkered past and alot of people that dislike her. But seems like those that defend her actions comment only on facebook. Isnt that very interesting and noteable.

Feb 10, 2014, 6:35pm Permalink
Steve Hackett

I am a true animal lover my friends.... I have dogs and anyone who knows me, knows I would give up my life for them. I lost sleep over the weekend because of that story and if people can't understand where I am coming from, they have issues....

Feb 10, 2014, 7:22pm Permalink
shelly mathers

Steve, you are 100% correct with everything you said. She couldn't even get up in the morning to feed her kid why would she take care of a dog. The dog she had when I was there was chained outside 24/7 and rarely got fed or human interaction that wasn't yelling at it.

Feb 11, 2014, 12:31am Permalink
Kathy Owen

On the news out of Buffalo the other day, cat found with handcuff on its neck. Appears to have been on the cats neck for some time. Police able to find a key to remove it. ASPCA will make this good cat available for adoption after treatment. A mother cat and kittens in a box dumped from a passing car on Maple street. Neglected and starving dogs. It isn't Batavia that's going down hill..it's the misfits we have in our society and there's to much of this degeneration going on. For every misfit, there are people out there working very hard to help. Think about the Vet's who will take on these calls, come in after hours to save these abused dogs and cats. Law enforcement officers who deal with it. Read a story a few years back about a local deputy on patrol one winter night and found an injured kitten on the road. He didn't drive by it. He stopped, put it in his patrol car and saw to it it got care. But most of all, when these things upset you, think about the Volunteers For Animals. They need your support to help take care of Ms. Kelso's neglect and the lack of responsibility shown by so many others. If you are mad and you want to do something, send the Volunteers a few bucks to help pay their expenses. My next Vet bill will be about $500 but I accepted these expenses when I took on the responsibility of having pets. I know I am mad and sick that people are so cruel and I WILL be sending a few extra? dollars to the Volunteers to help with the care of the animals and in hopes Ms.Kelso never gets this dog back and to help these folks who do SO much to reverse the abuse inflicted on these animals!!

Feb 11, 2014, 1:11am Permalink
bud prevost

Aaron, while they are both about defamation, "slander" is generally considered spoken defamation. "Libel" may be what you were talking about, as that generally pertains to written/published defamation. I have no opinion either way, as I also believe in innocent until proven guilty. Just wanted to help you use the terminology correctly.

Feb 11, 2014, 10:08am Permalink
Scott Blossom

Aaron, before Howard jumps on you I highly recomend you edit your post and drop those f-bombs.

You are obviously passionate about your stance, but that level of profanity is inapropriate here and hurts your credibility.

Feb 11, 2014, 12:07pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I've e-mailed Aaron and asked him to edit the post. If it doesn't happen soon, it will be removed. Typically, I would have removed it already, but given Aaron's passion for defending his friend, I wanted to give him a chance to clean it up first.

Feb 11, 2014, 12:59pm Permalink
Steve Hackett

For the sake of argument mr. Aaron smith, I edited my comment to satisfy your claim. I do firmly stand strong on how I feel and if she is found guilty of these accusations, your apology is accepted. For being a graduate of oakfield Alabama, you might have a little bit more class on how you make your point and present yourself. I am an oakfield graduate as well. It must be a generation thing. Your punctuation and spelling are a bit suspect too , along with your vulgar language.

Feb 11, 2014, 4:50pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

"being a graduate of oakfield Alabama"
"mr. Aaron smith"
"I am an oakfield graduate as well. It must be a generation thing. Your punctuation and spelling are a bit suspect too ,"

As are capital letters, Steve, denoting proper nouns, such as in Oakfield, Mr. and Smith.

But then, what would I know? I only went to OACS for 6+ years. It was a long time ago, but, as far as I can remember, they taught capitalization way back then.

How's that go now? Don't throw stones ...

What I've found is that, if there is ever an opening for a Word Nazi, whoever applies for it will have their work cut out for them.

Feb 11, 2014, 5:27pm Permalink
Steve Hackett

Thanks for the punctuation lesson Ed.... I learned alot and thank you for pointing that out for me. I will work on that in my free time. I do think , however, you missed the point of the comment and obviously failed to read Mr. Smiths post. Or is it you agree with him and feel it necessary to defend such actions? There is no need for profanity on the batavian. He made his point and I made mine. Let justice take its course and move on.

Feb 11, 2014, 7:29pm Permalink
Julie Carasone

Thank you for posting the picture of the guy that "allegedly" entered my home. I know you have to say that. I now know a name and I am glad he is in custody.

Feb 11, 2014, 9:00pm Permalink
shelly mathers

No I didn't just let it happen. I did everything I could for the previous dog even clean the crap out of the driveway. She has weaseled her way through every complaint (CPS & animal) in the past and I can't believe it's been years since something has been done. I wasn't there all the time. I was working and wasn't there 24/7. Her son would ask me for food because she'd still be sleeping at noon and scream at him if he were to wake her up. I hope this dog find a loving home and that she gets the help she needs.

Feb 15, 2014, 12:46am Permalink

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