(WNY News Now) – A Town of Boston couple was sentenced after authorities seized 53 animals from a property where investigators reported unsanitary conditions and inadequate access to food, water and shelter.

Timothy P. Sylvester, 46, and Jacqueline Joseph, 37, both formerly of the Town of Boston, were sentenced Tuesday in Boston Town Court following their guilty pleas to an animal cruelty charge.

Boston Town Court Justice Kyle W. Calabrese sentenced each defendant to a one-year conditional discharge. The court also ordered the couple to surrender custody of all animals and pay a combined $11,700 in restitution to the SPCA Serving Erie County.

The case began May 21, 2026, when SPCA Serving Erie County officers executed a search warrant at a property in the 7000 block of Boston Colden Road.

Investigators reported finding eight dogs, eight cats, six chickens, one rabbit and one miniature horse inside the home. Officials said the animals were living in unsanitary conditions without appropriate food or clean water.

Outside the residence, investigators found seven chickens, six geese, four ducks, three goats, three horses, three cats, two ponies and another miniature horse.

According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, the animals showed varying signs of neglect, including flea or lice infestations and untreated medical conditions. One cat required surgery to remove an affected eye.

A total of 53 animals were removed from the property and taken to the SPCA for medical treatment and care.

On Aug. 24, Sylvester and Joseph each pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance, a Class B misdemeanor under New York Agriculture and Markets Law.

As part of the sentence, the court also issued a two-year securing order prohibiting Sylvester and Joseph from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of animals.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Erie County District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Unit.

District Attorney Michael J. Keane credited SPCA officers, staff and volunteers, along with Town of Boston Code Enforcement, for their work in the investigation and care of the rescued animals.