(WNY News Now) – Deputies seized 27 dogs from a Cattaraugus County home during a search warrant execution tied to an ongoing animal abuse investigation.

Cattaraugus County, N.Y. – On the morning of April 17, 2025, at approximately 10:27 a.m., Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant at the residence of Donna Truesdale, stemming from an investigation into her unlawful possession of animals.

Truesdale, who had previously been convicted of animal abuse and placed on the Cattaraugus County Animal Abuser Registry, was allegedly found in possession of 27 dogs—an act prohibited under the registry’s terms.

All 27 dogs were safely removed from the property and placed into the care of local Dog Control Officers.

Following the search, Truesdale was arrested on multiple charges, including a Violation of Probation Warrant, Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, 27 counts of Unlawfully Possessing an Animal by an Animal Abuser, and one count of Failing to Register as an Animal Abuser.

She was arraigned and remanded to the Cattaraugus County Jail. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.