Troy man sentenced in animal cruelty case

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- A Troy man was sentenced to 45 days in jail and five years of probation for animal cruelty. Tyler Valentine, 30, was sentenced in Rensselaer County Court on Thursday, May 16, after he pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated cruelty to an animal.

Three dogs, four cats, a bearded dragon, and a ferret died in his care in November 2021. Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly said the animals relied on Valentine for basic care but he allowed them to "waste away."

She added that she's seen an increase in animal abuse and cruelty in the county recently. "The DA’s office is pleased to host a training this week at HVCC in order to equip our Rensselaer County Animal Control Officers and Law Enforcement Officers with the knowledge and resources necessary to handle these very complex cases," she said.