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Updated 10/19/2012 10:17 PM

Man arrested for neglecting two dogs and three snakes

A man was arrested after Sheriff's Deputies say a pit bull, a hound puppy and three snakes were found alone, malnourished, cold and dehydrated at a Cobleskill home. Erin Vannella reports.

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SCHOHARIE COUNTY, N.Y. -- "They've been tied out four or five days now and two days that their owners haven't even been here to take them," said one woman. "They were out days and nights in the rain and the cold with no shelter, no anything."

Five animals, two dogs and three snakes, are now recovering at the Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter. Sheriff Deputies say they found them at a Cobleskill mobile home Wednesday night.

"A neighbor advised us they thought there was a tank of snakes inside the residence," said Schoharie County Sheriff Deputy Zachary Reinhart. "When we first got there, we observed the two dogs and they appeared to be very skinny and underfed."

The Sheriff's Department says the animal owners hadn't been home for days. Timothy LaPlant, 21, of Richmondville, turned himself in Friday and faces possible jail time and a fine for failing to provide proper sustenance to the animals.

"You could tell that they were hungry," said Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter Manager Kerrie Colin. "You could tell that they were scared. One was a puppy and one was a dog that we have known to have lost at least 20 pound since he had been at the residence."

And the snakes?

"If they were left there again last night, they probably would've died," said Colin.

Just in time, one woman said, to give all the animals the attention they deserve.

"They're friendly, they're loving, they're playful," she said. "Our pit would actually come up and play with them and they'd play and have a great time. They're wonderful dogs. If only I had more room for them."