ILION, HERKIMER CO. (AP) -- A Central New York man faces animal cruelty charges after 19 reptiles were found in a hot vehicle and 13 of them died.
Police in Ilion, near Utica, say 24-year-old Brian Higgins Jr. of Jordanville was charged Sunday afternoon with 13 counts of torturing animals and failure to provide sustenance, a misdemeanor.
Police say the lizards, snakes and geckos were left in a vehicle for 26 hours without food, water or shelter.
Higgins was released with a ticket to appear in Ilion Village Court on July 26. Police didn't know if he has a lawyer.
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