Lackawanna Couple Indicted on Animal Cruelty Charges

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Stephen Andres, 42, and Tara Andres, 44, both of Lackawanna, were arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging them each with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class E felony under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law), one count of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals; Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance (Class A misdemeanor under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law) and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class A misdemeanor).

It is alleged that on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at approximately 3:57 p.m., the defendant, Stephen Andres, called the SPCA Serving Erie County dispatch to request assistance in picking up his deceased dog. SPCA officers responded to the defendants' residence on the 2700 block of South Park Avenue where they allegedly saw a deceased dog that appeared emaciated, neglected and subjected to unsanitary conditions.

The SPCA officers also allegedly saw another neglected dog inside of the home, which was taken to the SPCA Serving Erie County for evaluation. The SPCA chief veterinarian determined that "Diamond," an approximately 7-year-old mixed black and white dog, was emaciated due to prolonged starvation. "Diamond," who was later adopted by a former SPCA veterinarian, continues to recover.

The deceased dog, an approximately 10-month-old white and black mixed breed named "Bones," was transported to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy where a veterinarian pathologist determined that his death was likely caused due to chronic and prolonged starvation.

The defendants are accused of failing to provide necessary food and care for their dogs. The animals were allegedly found in unsanitary conditions without proper access to food. The defendants are also accused of knowingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child who was also living in unsanitary conditions.

Andres and Andres are scheduled to return on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. Both remain released under supervision of the Probation Department, which was imposed by Lackawanna City Court Judge Kenneth Szyszkowski.

At their initial arraignment in Lackawanna City Court, our prosecutor requested that the Court impose a securing order that prohibits the defendants from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals while the case is pending prosecution. A temporary securing order was imposed by Judge Szyszkowski. Today, Judge Eagan continued the temporary securing order.

DA Keane commends SPCA Senior Officer Melina Restivo, SPCA Officer Meghan Giles, SPCA Serving Erie County staff and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Animal Cruelty Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.