A Westerlo woman has been charged by the Albany County Sheriff’s Office with animal cruelty. The 64-year-old woman reportedly had over 100 animals living on her property in what police described as “deplorable conditions.”

Some state legislators are eager to make it a felony to cruelly kill a wild animal, although a spokesman for the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation said such acts are rare.

Shawn Duncan was arrested on a search warrant that was issued in the investigation of a Westerlo horse's killing by an arrow. This month, his case was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal.

Police found a stun gun in Shawn Duncan's home in May, a violation of his probation which has since been withdrawn. The warrant used to search his home was based on interviews with family members after their horse was found killed by an arrow in Westerlo.

Cruelty to animals is an issue Assemblyman James Tedisco hopes people statewide will rally around. Siobhan Duncan says her husband wasn't responsible for a recent case, in Westerlo, with a slain horse that caught media attention. 

WESTERLO — Shawn M. Duncan was arrested in connection with the death of his father’s beloved thoroughbred horse, found on Sunday morning with an arrow in its side.