A husband and wife from Brant have pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the seizure of more than 200 animals from their farm. According to Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane, 77-year-old Donald George and 75-year-old Bonnie George both face up to 364 days in jail after entering their plea Monday evening to two Class A misdemeanor counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (failure to provide proper sustenance) under New York Ag & Markets Law.
An investigation began after a dog control officer contacted the SPCA Serving Erie County after receiving an anonymous complaint about animals living in unsafe conditions in the Town of Brant. On November 19th SPCA investigators conducted an inspection at the defendants' farm on Brant-Farnham Road, where they observed neglected animals and unsanitary conditions. The following day, SPCA investigators executed a search warrant at the property and seized a total of 216 animals. The defendants failed to provide necessary food, water and care to the majority of their farm and domestic animals, which included 119 goats, 47 chickens, 18 ducks and geese, 11 cats, six sheep and six dogs. The animals were found in unsanitary conditions without proper access to food and water. Investigators also found multiple deceased animals on the property, which included goats, deer and fowl. Brant Town Court Justice Jeff Gier, who previously presided over the case, ordered the surviving animals to be forfeited to the custody of the SPCA Serving Erie County.
During the investigation, the Georges intentionally obstructed the administration of law and prevented a public servant from performing an official function. SPCA investigators observed two horses on the property during their initial inspection on November 19, 2025. When the search warrant was executed the following day, the horses were no longer on the property. The defendants refused to provide information on their location, which prevented investigators from performing a health and welfare check. The horses have not been located.
The Georges are scheduled to be sentenced on September 14th and remain released on their own recognizance.
