WE’LL BRING YOU MORE UPDATES as we get them into our newsroom. NEW YORK STATE POLICE HAVE CHARGED 3 PEOPLE IN AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE NEGLECT OF MORE THAN 30 ANIMALS. BACK IN JUNE… police RECEIVED REPORTS OF SEVERAL ANIMALS BEING NEGLECTED AND IN NEED OF VETERINARY CARE AT A PROPERTY IN WHITEHALL. IN AUGUST… STATE POLICE EXECUTED A SEARCH WARRANT WHERE 2 CATS AND DOG WERE FOUND IN POOR PHYSICAL CONDITION. THE 3 ANIMALS WERE SEIZED. THEN IN SEPTEMBER, 28 OTHER ANIMALS, INCLUDING 8 DOGS, 19 CATS, AND 1 CANADIAN GOOSE, WERE SEIZED. ALL ANIMALS WERE TURNED OVER TO LOCAL VETERINARY OFFICES. POLICE SAY CHRISTOPHER AND CHARLES MCKINNEY… AS WELL AS JESSICA AUSTIN… TURNED THEMSELVES IN. THEY EACH FACE SEVER
Three people charged with animal cruelty in northern New York
New York State Police said that more than two dozen animals, including a Canada goose, were seized from a property in Whitehall last month.
Updated: 11:03 AM EDT Oct 21, 2025
Three people have been charged after a monthslong investigation into an animal cruelty case in Whitehall. New York State Police said the first report was made on June 12 about numerous animals that appeared neglected and in need of veterinary care at a property on state Route 40. On Aug. 30, state police executed a search warrant and seized two dogs and one cat that were found to be in poor condition. On Sept. 27, state police seized an additional 28 animals, including a Canada goose, as the investigation continued. The cats and dogs were turned over to the care of local veterinary offices. The Canada goose was released into the care of North Country Wild Care.On Oct. 10, state police said that three people surrendered to the barracks in Granville. They were identified as Jessica Austin, 43, Christopher McKinney, 43, and Charles McKinney, 81. All three have been scheduled to appear in the Whitehall Town Court on Oct. 27.
WHITEHALL, N.Y. —
Three people have been charged after a monthslong investigation into an animal cruelty case in Whitehall.
New York State Police said the first report was made on June 12 about numerous animals that appeared neglected and in need of veterinary care at a property on state Route 40. On Aug. 30, state police executed a search warrant and seized two dogs and one cat that were found to be in poor condition.
On Sept. 27, state police seized an additional 28 animals, including a Canada goose, as the investigation continued. The cats and dogs were turned over to the care of local veterinary offices. The Canada goose was released into the care of North Country Wild Care.
On Oct. 10, state police said that three people surrendered to the barracks in Granville. They were identified as Jessica Austin, 43, Christopher McKinney, 43, and Charles McKinney, 81. All three have been scheduled to appear in the Whitehall Town Court on Oct. 27.