Barn Fire In Upstate NY Kills About 200 Animals
JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) -- A barn fire in upstate New York has killed about 200 animals owned by a woman described as a "hoarder" when she was previously charged in an animal neglect case.
Authorities say they don't expect to ever determine the cause of the blaze that collapsed the 80-by-200 foot pole barn in Johnstown on Sunday. But they've ruled out arson, saying the origin was likely a heater.
Most of the animals were sheep and goats. Owner Robin Dillenbeck was in tears when she told the Gloversville Leader-Herald she also lost a couple of pigs and dogs and a llama.
Fulton County District Attorney Louise Sira says Thursday that Dillenbeck was a "hoarder" caring for more animals than she could handle when she was charged with a misdemeanor in 2008. That case was resolved when Dillenbeck agreed to keep fewer animals. Her phone is not listed.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
