March 2022– Christopher Spencer, 57, of Averill Park was accused of killing an older German Short haired Pointer and leaving it along a stretch of road in Sand Lake. The dog was found dead from a gunshot wound.  He was charged with Section 353a of the Agriculture and Markets Law—aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony. Spencer pleaded not guilty. Spencer was convicted of animal abuse and neglect and is registered with the Rensselaer County Animal Abuse Registry