City woman hit with six animal cruelty charges after dog spotted on roof

Kristi Clement (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A city woman is facing arraignment on Oct. 25 in an animal cruelty case that arose after neighbors spotted several dogs on the roof of her Heaton Street residence earlier this month.
Police got involved around 4 p.m. on Sept. 3 as they responded to the residence after receiving two separate calls regarding a dog on the ledge of a roof at the address.
"Upon arrival officers saw three or four people holding a blanket in the form of a catch tarp," Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said on Thursday. "When officers looked up they saw at least one dog walking back and forth on the ledge, with two other dogs constantly popping their heads out of a small spot in the window that had an air conditioner unit in it that was not running at the time."
The Rochester Fire Department was called to assist with the dogs' rescue.
When firefighters and officers gained entry to the house they found four adult dogs and two puppies inside in temperatures over 80 degrees.
"The room smelled of urine and feces, and feces were found on the floor," Pinkham noted. "In addition to the temperature, smell and feces, no easy access to food or water was nearby."
Officers ultimately took custody of the animals, and police, along with the help of some bystanders, provided food and water to the animals, who appeared dehydrated and malnourished.
Police determined the person in charge of the animals, Kristi Clement, 33, of 5 Heaton St., Apt. #B, was not present at the time.
As a result, a warrant was completed for her arrest, which took place Sept. 11. Clement was charged with six counts of cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor that can carry a maximum of a year in county jail on each count.
Clement was released on personal recognizance bail pending her arraignment in Rochester Circuit Court on Oct. 25.