Goat abuse case is postponed so that defendant can get a lawyer

By Frances Ruth Harris
GOSHEN — Judge Rory Brady on Wednesday entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Peter Yan, who has been charged with 28 counts of animal cruelty.
Brady urged Yan not to speak until he obtained legal representation.
Yan appeared in Goshen town court on Sept. 26 without a lawyer. Brady gave him the number for the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, telling Yan to hire a Legal Aid lawyer or another of his choice. Brady scheduled another hearing for Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m.
James Kilcullen, investigator with the Hudson Valley SPCA Law Enforcement Division in New Windsor, presented the division's case. Orange County Assistant District Attorney David Kempinger was present to prosecute the case.
On Aug. 11, 27 goats were seized from Evergreen Naturally farm at 7 Orzeck Lane in Goshen. The raid was conducted by Gene Hecht, chief of Hudson Valley SPCA Humane Law Enforcement, and his officers.
Yan, who lives in Lynbrook, Long Island, was charged with 28 counts of failing to provide food, water, and sustenance.
All of the goats were found to be suffering from infections, living in putrid conditions, and vastly underweight, according to the SPCA.
The goats were rescued by Jessica Pykosz, Beaver Lake Farm, in Loch Sheldrake.