animal abuse

A barn with both doors open on Transit Road, potentially endangering the lives of animals corraled inside, prompted a call to dispatch. "This caller is concerned about the welfare of the animals due to the cold weather."

The location is reportedly a half mile north of Route 262, which is on the border between Elba and Byron. An animal control officer is heading there now to check their welfare. 

An animal control officer is responding to check the welfare of two horses corraled off Main Road in Stafford that appear to be malnourished, according to a caller to dispatch.

The caller could not provide the exact address of the property but told a dispatcher it is in the area of Nilesville Road, on the north side of Main Road, and that those are the only horses in that vicinity.

A man accused of forcibly stealing a cell phone and beating and strangling a woman's beagle will get a thorough mental health exam to determine his fitness for court proceedings, Judge Charles Zambito ordered today in Genesee County Court.

Shawn Michael Twardowski is charged with one count of third-degree robbery, a Class D felony, for allegedly taking a cell phone from a woman on Jan. 26 on Bank Street in the City of Batavia; and one count of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor.

A possible plea deal was withdrawn, for now at least.

His attorney, Michael Locicero, told Judge Zambito that his client "displayed competency issues in his last court appearance" in August. Today, Locicero reiterated his concerns, saying a recent "mental forensic evaluation" does not address Twardowski's "competency per se" and he again expressed reservations about his client's "fitness to proceed," and comprehend a plea bargain.

Locicero said his client told him that at some point he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, but nothing in his file confirms that diagnosis. He described his client as "non-responsive" in face-to-face dealings with him. Indeed throughout his brief appearance in County Court this morning, the tall, lanky Twardowski, handcuffed and wearing inmate orange, sat or stood slope-shouldered, staring vacantly at the table. 

The defense attorney once more asked for a "730 Exam" -- a comprehensive mental health evaluation of his client.

Last month, Assistant District Attorney Robert Zickl objected to that request and noted that no comprehension issue was raised when the defendant sought a judicial diversion. Zambito, who subsequently called for more information and specifics to be gathered in the intervening weeks, seemed reluctant to grant the 730 Exam request.

"I've reviewed the records," Zambito said. "There's nothing to indicate he's incompetent, but I have not dealt with him personally."

Zickl again objected to the request, adding that the plea offer would be withdrawn and if he is found competent, the case would go to trial.

"If he's (found) not competent to stand trial, he's not competent to consider a plea offer," Zambito said, making Zickl's point moot.

Zambito ordered a 730 Exam for Twardowski.

The case is on the docket again at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13.

A caller to dispatch reports about 20 minutes ago a red Chevy Cavalier-type coupe drove into the parking lot of Batavia Middle School on Ross Street and dropped off "a cage full of cats," then left. Law enforcement is reponding.

UPDATE 4:29 a.m.: An eyewitness told Howard at the scene that a lone woman driving a bright red Cavalier drove behind their house and to the school parking lot and got out with a cage. When the driver saw she had been spotted, she left the cage with two cats inside and quickly drove off. The cats are black and white and were taken to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

A dog is locked inside a black Cadillac with the windows rolled up near 115 Washington Ave. in the City. Batavia PD is responding.

A dog has reportedly been locked inside a red Chevy pickup truck in the Court Street plaza in the city for the last 30 minutes. Batavia PD is responding. The vehicle is in a handicapped parking space near City Slickers restaurant.

Lisa Marie Muratore, 32, of Lake Avenue, Rochester, is charged with confinement of a companion animal in a vehicle in extreme temperature. She was charged for allegedly leaving her dog in a vehicle for 45 minutes while the outside temperature was 79 degrees. This was at 5:13 p.m. on Monday, May 23, at Batavia Downs Gaming, 8315 Park Road, Batavia. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

A dog is reportedly locked inside a white Kia in the parking lot in front of Aldi's on East Main Street, Batavia. The windows are shut. Law enforcement is responding.

A dog is reportedly locked inside a white Chevy Impala in front of the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union in Jefferson Square. An animal control officer is responding. It's hot and muggy today -- 83 degrees, with 49 percent humidity, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Two dogs are reportedly locked inside a vehicle parked outside of Denny's restaurant on Main Street in Batavia. An animal control officer is called to respond. It's about 83 degrees.

A dog is locked inside a vehicle outside the Taco Bell restaurant at 413 W. Main St., Batavia, according to a caller to dispatch. City police are responding. It's 83 degrees outside, according to National Weather Service. Dispatch says its 75.

A caller to dispatch reports a dog is locked inside a vehicle in the BJ's Wholesale Club plaza. It's said to be in front of the Sears outlet. Law enforcement is responding. It's 86 degrees outside.

City police are responding to the parking lot across from Bourbon & Burger Co. in Downtown Batavia, where a dog is said to be locked inside a dark green truck. It's 83 degrees outside this evening.

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a tall white man who stomped a cat to death on Main Street, Batavia, Dec. 3 has been increased to $1,250.

Volunteers for Animals announced the new reward amount this morning.

According to a witness, the man was walking a large, dark brown German shepherd near the Raceway Minimarket in the 600 block of East Main Street at the time of the incident. It was about 6:30 p.m.

The cat suffered numerous injuries, including a broken spine and crushed skull from being stomped, and wounds from the dog.

The initial reward was $500, then a donation boosted it to $750.

Batavia Police encourage anyone with information to call their confidential tipline at 345-6370.

An officer is responding to Walmart after a complaint of a dog locked inside a vehicle. It's a four-door gray Chevy Impala parked in the last aisle of the food entrance near a fire hydrant.

UPDATE 2:15 p.m.: The officer is on location with the vehicle and the complainant.

UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: The dog is reportedly showing signs of distress. A Walmart employee is paging the registered owner of the vehicle.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: Apparently the owner responded. The officer is back in service.

A caller to dispatch reported two dogs locked in a vehicle with the windows up near the food entrance at Walmart. The caller was concerned because they were panting. An officer responded and found several vehicles in that vicinity with dogs locked inside.

A caller to dispatch reports what appears to be a malnourished horse on Broadway Road in Alexander. The caller claims there is no food or water at the location and is remaining on scene until an animal control officer arrives.

City police are responding to a residence on Hutchins Place after a caller reported to dispatch that a female allegedly picked a dog up by its collar and that prior to that a male allegedly "punched the dog."

A caller to dispatch reports an emaciated dog is outside of a residence on Walnut Street. City police are responding to the complaint.

UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: The officer tells dispatch "I'm familiar with this dog. It's certainly not emaciated. I'm leaving a contact card and I'll be clear (leaving)."