In Jamestown, New York, police were called to a home at the request of the Department of Development and found a 3-year-old child living in what officers described as deplorable and hazardous conditions. In the same home, three dogs were found malnourished, kept without food or water they could reach. Animal Control removed the dogs, and steps were taken to protect the child.

Amber Peru, 32, and David Burkhart III, 33, are now charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Peru faces three additional counts tied to the animals' treatment, and Burkhart faces three more plus a drug possession charge. Both were booked and are awaiting arraignment.

This case points to something advocates have raised for years: neglect toward animals in a home is often an early sign of neglect happening to the people living there too, especially children. When an officer walks into a home and finds starving pets, that same home may hold a child no one has checked on. Right now, animal control and child protective services in many communities, including Jamestown, have no formal requirement to share what they find with each other.

This petition calls on the Chautauqua County District Attorney to pursue the full extent of the charges filed in this case, and on Jamestown city and county officials to create a formal cross-reporting protocol between Animal Control and Child Protective Services, so evidence of animal neglect automatically triggers a welfare check on any children in that home.

No child or animal should have to wait for a call from the Department of Development before someone notices they are in danger. Sign the petition to demand cross-reporting protections and full accountability in this case.