LIBERTY — On Thursday January 29th, 2026 the Village of Liberty Police Department responded to a report of a deceased dog at an apartment complex in the Village of Liberty. Officers responded to the location after members of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Civil Division had executed an eviction warrant at an apartment on Grant Street in the Village of Liberty and found a deceased dog inside.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, The Town of Liberty Dog Control Officer/Constable and the Village of Liberty Police Department all responded to the scene after it was quickly determined that the animal had been the victim of severe abuse and neglect. A joint investigation conducted by the Town of Liberty Dog Control Officer/Constable and the Village of Liberty Police Department resulted in identifying, locating and arresting the individual responsible.

Arrested several hours later was Marybeth Edwards, 44 of Liberty.

Edwards was charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies. The investigation revealed that Edwards had disposed of evidence during the investigation. Edwards was arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to Sullivan County Jail without bail. She is due back in the Town of Liberty Court on February 4th, 2026. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Village of Liberty Police Department Detective Division at 845-292-4422. 

Chief Steven D’Agata stated, “The intentional killing of this dog by failing to provide its basic needs caused extreme physical suffering and was carried out in an especially depraved and sadistic manner. Companion animals like cats and dogs rely entirely on the people entrusted with their care for survival. Failing to meet the most basic level of care necessary to keep an animal alive is despicable and has no place in our community. Our department will continue working with the Town of Liberty Dog Control Officer/Constable and the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office to ensure that individuals who cause unnecessary pain and suffering to innocent animals are held accountable to the maximum extent of the law.” 

Criminal charges are merely allegations that a defendant has committed violations of the criminal law, and as such they are not evidence of guilt. All defendants have a presumption of innocence and are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the burden of the State of New York to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt