COOPERSTOWN -- Worcester kennel operator Frank Popolizio has had to forfeit the dozens of allegedly neglected dogs seized from his facility last winter, and the Susquehanna SPCA is now working with rescue organizations to line up adoptions for the canines, officials said Wednesday.
SPCA Executive Director Liz Mackey said Worcester Town Judge William Fisher stripped Popolizio of any ownership claim to the dogs after he failed to post a $84,120 bond to cover the expenses the humane group has incurred from caring for the dogs.
The canines were confiscated from South Side Dogs in January. The dogs legally belonged to Popolizio, 66, of Schenectady, until June 13, when the judge awarded them to the SPCA.
A total of 45 dogs were taken in the raid. Since then, another eight puppies were born among those confiscated.
"I can't tell you how thrilled we are that the dogs can finally be adopted," Mackey said. The dogs, she added, "all look so much better than they did when they were originally brought here. We have had a lot of bills because of this, but we have not received a dime (from Popolizio)."
She said many people want to adopt the dogs, but emphasized the placements are not being made by the SPCA. Instead, the adoptions will be coordinated by various rescue groups that have contacted the SPCA, she said.
"They are going to have the dogs spayed and neutered, which helps us tremendously," Mackey said.
Popolizio's attorney, Adam Parisi, did not return telephone calls seeking comment on the latest developments.
Among the rescue groups assisting in the adoptions are the Vizsla Club of Long Island, the German Short Hair Pointer Rescue of New England and the Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue of New England.
A Wednesday media release by South Side Dogs announced that Popolizio's business "is now inviting guests to their facility to visit some of the newest breeds they have available for adoption. This represents the ideal opportunity for prospective dog owners to come to see the facility and speak with the professionals working at South Side Dogs ... "
Earlier this month, the Otsego County Sheriff's Department brought new felony grand larceny and scheming to defraud charges against Popolizio. Investigators accused him of fleecing customers out of thousands of dollars they paid him for miniature livestock.
Popolizio is also facing multiple animal cruelty counts in connection with the dogs he has now forfeited.
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