On September 27, while investigating an unrelated call, State Troopers out of Lyons discovered a dog being kept in a 2x3 foot crate severely malnourished, dehydrated and covered in its own urine.

Following an investigation by Wayne County District Attorney Animal Cruelty Investigator Tracy Brown, the four-year-old mini Australian Shepherd was seized on Wednesday (10/2).

The dog’s owner, Michael S. McWilliams, age 39, of Canal Street in Lyons was charged with two counts of Animal Abuse-Torturing or Injuring Animals-Failure to Provide Sustenance. He was released on appearance tickets for Lyons Court on October 15.

Brown initially thought the dog, named ‘Buster’ was dead, but upon seeing him move, she rushed it to the Rochester Emergency Animal Service. The dog was not only suffering from lack of food and water, but was treated for severe urine burns on its body.

According to Brown, Buster is responding to treatment and was brought back to the Wayne County Humane Society building on Friday (10/4). "He is on the mend and won the hearts of the vets", commented Brown. Buster was signed over to the Humane Society after McWilliams’ arrest.