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Police: Fire at puppy mill barn is suspicious

By ANDREW DONOVAN

Story Created: Feb 9, 2013 at 2:11 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 9, 2013 at 3:19 PM EDT

MINDEN, N.Y. (WKTV) - New York State Police confirm to NEWSChannel 2 that the barn that housed an alleged puppy mill burned to the ground overnight.

Authorities are considering the fire suspicious.

The blaze broke out at around 5:00 a.m. and completey destroyed the structure. No animals were in the barn, according to police.

On January 3, State Troopers found more than 50 dogs inside the bard on Route 5S in uninhabitable conditions, including an unheated and element exposed structure, frozen water, a deceased canine, and many of the canines lying in fecal matter.

The dogs were removed from the property after the raid.

In late January, State Police arrested Diane and Paul Marriott of Fort Plain and Joseph Marriott of Gloversville. They were all charged with 52 counts of animal cruelty. They are scheduled to appear in court in late February.

Anyone having information relevant to the fire is asked to contact the New York State Police at Fonda at 518-853-3742.

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