LOLLYPOP FARM SEIZES NEARLY 60 DOGS AS PART OF HUMANE LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION IN ORLEANS COUNTY

FAIRPORT, N.Y. – On Monday, March 23, 2026, Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, was requested by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a welfare check at 1437 Murdock Rd, Lyndonville, N.Y. in Orleans County.

Upon arrival, and following an initial assessment of the conditions, humane investigators determined that intervention was necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals on the property. The Animal Emergency Response Team was activated to support the operation, including the safe removal of animals, documentation of conditions, and coordination of transport.

In total, 58 dogs were humanely removed from the home and transported to Lollypop Farm, where they will receive comprehensive veterinary evaluations and ongoing care.

“This is exactly the kind of complex, resource-intensive work our Humane Law Enforcement team is trained and equipped to handle,” said Reno DiDomenico, Vice President for Humane Law Enforcement at Lollypop Farm. “These cases often unfold behind closed doors and can escalate quickly without intervention. Our role is to work alongside our law enforcement partners to protect animals, support communities, and ensure situations like this are addressed with both urgency and compassion. Responding to cases of this magnitude requires significant coordination, and community support. From veterinary care to sheltering and long-term placement, every step depends on the resources we’re able to mobilize in real time.”

This remains an active investigation. Additional details will be released as they become available.

Lollypop Farm serves as the region’s only Humane Law Enforcement agency, covering multiple counties across the Greater Rochester area. Its investigators are trained peace officers who respond to thousands of calls each year, working in partnership with local law enforcement agencies to investigate animal cruelty and neglect.

Community support plays a critical role in making this work possible. Large-scale responses like this place immediate and ongoing demands on staffing, veterinary care, and shelter capacity.

Cases like this also highlight the critical need for continued advocacy to strengthen animal welfare laws in New York State. While Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement team is empowered to respond when conditions meet the legal threshold for intervention, earlier action is often limited by existing statutes. Strengthening legislation, particularly around neglect standards and the ability to intervene before conditions deteriorate, would allow agencies to better protect animals and support individuals in crisis sooner. Lollypop Farm remains committed to working with lawmakers, community partners, and advocates to advance policies that prioritize prevention, improve enforcement tools, and ultimately reduce animal suffering across our region.

Anyone with concerns about potential animal cruelty or neglect is encouraged to contact Lollypop Farm’s Animal Abuse Hotline at (585) 223-6500.

When activated, Lollypop Farm’s Animal Emergency Response Team works alongside local emergency responders to assist in situations ranging from structure fires and natural disasters to hoarding cases and large-scale cruelty investigations. The team brings together staff from humane law enforcement, veterinary services, shelter operations, and farm and equine care to provide a coordinated, professional response when animals are in crisis.

About Lollypop Farm

Established in 1873, Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023, is the largest animal welfare organization helping pets and people in the Greater Rochester area. Lollypop Farm is committed to creating a just and compassionate world for all animals. Together with our community, we better the lives of animals through justice, prevention, and life-saving care. With its main campus in Fairport and a satellite adoption center in Greece Ridge Mall, the organization provides shelter, care, and adoption for dogs, cats, small animals, birds, reptiles, horses, and other farm animals. Lollypop Farm is an independent, nonprofit organization supported through donations and program fees. For more information and to meet current animals available for adoption, please visit www.lollypop.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Kindness for All Kind

Construction is underway on Lollypop Farm’s Kindness for All Kind project! Together, we’re building a brighter future for animals and the people who care for them throughout the Greater Rochester area and beyond. This visionary project will create a safe haven for animals in need, offer compassion to those seeking help, and provide unwavering support to the community and caregivers who make second chances possible every day.

Kindness for All Kind will enhance our abilities to care for animals and serve our community. The innovative project includes a new Animal Intake Center, enhanced Dog Holding Facilities, a community-focused Welcome Center, the Karpus Family Foundation Learning Center, expanded farm facilities, a modernized Maintenance Barn, and a Donations and Support Center to meet the growing needs of Lollypop Farm and the community. To learn more about Kindness for All Kind, including how you can support this generational investment in compassion and community, visit lollypop.org/kindness or contact Cathie Wright, Vice President of Donor Relations, at (585) 223-1330 ext. 245 or at wright@lollypop.org.

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