DELHI, NY - Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced the indictment of James G. Lor, 32, of Margaretville, New York. The Delaware County Grand Jury indicted Mr. Lor on March 21, 2024, and charged him with Aggravated Animal Cruelty, an Unclassified Felony.
The Indictment alleges Lor committed the crime of Aggravated Animal Cruelty on March 12, 2024, when he killed a dog using a knife in the Village of Margaretville. He is also accused of attempting to cook the dog’s carcass and eat the dog’s organs. It is unclear who the lawful owner of the deceased animal is at this time.
Troopers with the New York State Police responded to a house in the Village of Margaretville on March 12, 2024, shortly after members of the community alerted 911. A referral to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office was made immediately.
First Assistant District Attorney Schuyler Konior Kinneman presented the case to the Grand Jury and has been assigned to the continued prosecution of the case.
District Attorney Shawn Smith thanked Investigator Mark Head and Trooper Crystal Rhodes of the NYS Police for their investigation and quick response to this complaint.
DA Smith continued, “While today is the start of bringing an alleged perpetrator of a horrible crime to justice, I also want today to be the start of a call to Governor Kathy Hochul and to leaders of both the New York Assembly and the Senate. Due to New York State laws, the defendant in this case faces the lowest possible felony in New York with the maximum possible penalty being two years in jail. Drug addicts potentially face longer prison sentences than Mr. Lor ever will if he is convicted. This is wrong.”
“I call on both the Democratic and Republican leadership to reform the law in New York to toughen the penalties for individuals convicted of animal cruelty. It is inconceivable that non-violent felony offenders in our state face more prison time than an individual accused of killing and eating a dog.”
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Shawn J. Smith
District Attorney
Delaware County
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