Murphy declares victory for Hudson Valley pets amid closing of Mohegan Lake pet store

MOHEGAN LAKE, NY – A pet store owner in Mohegan Lake has announced he will be closing his doors for good following a new series of violations stemming from his former Danbury pet store.  As reported by the Danbury News Times, Mr. Richard Doyle, 56 of Mahopac, “maliciously caused wounds” to a St. Bernard puppy according to an arrest warrant and has been charged with animal cruelty and practicing veterinary medicine without a license.  This is Doyle’s third arrest since July of last year.

“Today is a great day for animal lovers, our local community, and most importantly, our pets,” State Senator Terrence Murphy said.  “New York needs to set a strong example that animal abuse, especially by individuals who are charged with caring for them, cannot and will not be tolerated.”

Murphy has been at the forefront of holding animal abusers accountable by proposing and passing legislation to strengthen penalties for animal abusers as well as calling for immediate inspections by New York’s Department of Agriculture and Markets of any pet dealers charged with these heinous crimes.

Following the new charges lodged against Doyle, Senator Murphy sent a letter to the New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, formally requesting Doyle’s license as a pet store owner in New York State be suspended until the legal process concluded any wrong doing.  Upon Mr. Doyle’s original charges, Senator Murphy penned a letter requesting immediate and “regularly scheduled inspections” of Doyle’s Westchester store.

Since first being charged last year, Doyle has sold or closed his otherother stores, including establishments in Danbury, Mamaroneck and Wappingers Falls.  Now, the store owner has confirmed to the Yorktown News that he will be shutting the doors to his Mohegan Lake store at the close of business today.

“Three strikes and your out,” Murphy said.  “Animal cruelty in of itself is despicable but when someone is charged on three separate occasions it is time for New York State to step in and do the right thing.  Despite today’s good news, I still believe Mr. Doyle’s license should be suspended as an order of protection, until the courts rule on all of the charges he is facing, and if found guilty, his license needs to be permanently revoked.  This will not only prevent him from opening another establishment but send a clear message to animal abusers across the state that New York will not take these crimes lightly.”