TOWN OF OLIVE – A 58-year-old Woodstock man was convicted on Thursday in a Town of Olive Court trial of 18 counts of failure to provide proper sustenance to animals in violation of the state agriculture and markets law that covers animal neglect.
The evidence at trial established that in April 2016 the Ulster County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to complaints of animal neglect at the home of Ben Gary Treistman concerning ducks he owned.
Various notices to comply were issued to him outlining changes that needed to be made to the substandard conditions observed. After receiving new complaints, SPCA investigators executed a search warrant at Treistman’s residence, and on May 3, 2017, 18 ducks were seized.
Injuries included various levels of bumblefoot, and many ducks had large holes in their feet, likely from nails that were sticking up inside of the duck pen. In addition, many ducks were covered in feces due to the accumulation of fecal matter in the environment which they lived.
Treistman testified at trial that he provided the necessary care for the ducks, that they were in good health, and he never saw any injuries. However, a veterinarian for the SPCA testified to the contrary stating that not one duck was in a healthy condition.
Sentencing is scheduled on January 8, 2020 in front of Judge Timothy Cox. As part of any sentence imposed, defendant will be required to register with the Ulster County Animal Abuse Registry.
