As Lily the tiny dachshund gains strength, those accused of mistreating her are heading to court.
State Police in Cobleskill last week arrested four people in connection with abusing the dog and then abandoning her in a box alongside a road.
Charged with one count each of Section 353 of the Ag and Markets law, for torturing, injuring and not feeding an animal were:
•Joseph Cooper, 22.
•Tasha Cooper, 18.
•Gene Cooper, 48.
_Carol Palmer, 42.
The Coopers are from Carlisle, and Ms. Palmer is from Schoharie. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor, and all four were arrested April 3.
The case developed from information provided by attorney Mike West, who now has Lily, and a story in the March 24 Times-Journal.
Lily was found by the side of Saddlemire Hill Road, Carlisle, by Dennis Gregory in the early morning hours of March 19. She was inside a closed cardboard box.
Mr. Gregory rescued the dog, which was eventually taken to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, where Mr. West took her into his care.
Because of Lily’s “severe dehydration. . .fluids were required,” State Police reported in a statement.
Working with the Schoharie County District Attorney’s office, troopers determined that because of Lily’s poor health, she had been deprived of food and water.
State Police said the Coopers owned the dog––its name was Pokie then––and put it in a box and gave it to Ms. Palmer, asking her to dispose of it.
The doxie had had part of her lower jaw removed or amputated and had just one tooth, so she was able to eat only soft food––if she could get any.
Police believe, however, that the removed jaw was not related to Lily’s mistreatment.
State Police issued tickets to the four charged and released them. The Coopers are due in court April 21; Ms. Palmer will be in court at a later date.
At home with Mr. West and his wife, Cyndi, Lily’s gaining weight and getting stronger.
She weighed about four and a half pounds when the Wests took her in and now weighs in at six pounds.
“But she’s still got a few more pounds to get to where she should be,” Mr. West said on Monday.
“She’s just the sweetest little thing––fabulous, dancing around. She chased a squirrel yesterday. As she gains weight, she’s getting a little stronger.”
Lily will put in an appearance at the Animal Shelter’s auction at the Holiday Inn Express on Saturday.
Mr. West plans to follow the case in court and hopes justice is done for Lily.
“If nothing else, I hope this creates a groundswell of people interested in animal welfare,” he said. “If it makes people less shy about coming forward about animal abuse, that’s something.”