Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Timothy P. Sylvester, 46, and Jacqueline Joseph, 37, both formerly of Town of Boston, were sentenced last night before Boston Town Court Justice Kyle W. Calabrese. Slyvester and Joseph each received a one-year conditional discharge. As part of their sentence, Justice Calabrese ordered that the defendants surrender custody of all animals and pay a total of $11,700.00 in restitution to the SPCA Serving Erie County.
On Thursday, May 21, 2026, SPCA Serving Erie County officers executed a search warrant at a property on the 7000 block of Boston Colden Road in the Town of Boston. Investigators found eight dogs, eight cats, six chickens, one rabbit, and one miniature horse inside of the home. The animals were living in unsanitary conditions without proper access to appropriate food and clean water.
Outside of the property, investigators found seven chickens, six geese, four ducks, three goats, three horses, three cats, two ponies, and one miniature horse. The outdoor animals were living in inadequate shelter in unsanitary conditions without proper access to food and water.
All the animals were discovered in varying states of neglect, including lice or flea infestations and severe untreated medical conditions. One of the recovered cats suffered from an eye condition that required surgical removal. A total of 53 animals were taken to the SPCA Serving Erie County to receive care and medical treatment.
On August 24, 2026, Sylvester and Joseph each entered a guilty plea to one count of Attempted Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance (Class B misdemeanor under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law).
As a condition of their sentence, our prosecutor requested that the Court impose a two-year securing order that prohibits the defendants from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals, which was granted by Justice Calabrese.
DA Keane commends SPCA Chief Officer Lindsey Wood, former SPCA Senior Officer Melina Restivo and Town of Boston Code Enforcement for their work in this investigation. DA Keane also commends the staff and volunteers of the SPCA Serving Erie County for their assistance in the rescue and care of the animals.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Animal Cruelty Unit.