The Law Offices of Matthew Albert

01/26/2026

It's not the laws that need to change for animal abuse... it's the people that are not enforcing them.

This is a day in the life of Cain...in good times. When he's not out in sub zero temperatures. There is still some bloody stool he was living in, as you can see. We have sent 230 page memorandums... yes 230...with photographic evidence, expert witness affidavits, and eyewitness affidavits to anyone and everyone in Rochester who is allowing this to happen on their watch. These cases are airtight and wrapped in a bow.

Packages were sent to: City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, Lollypop Farms, Rochester Animal Services, The City of Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. We aren't doing this to get these dogs in for a night or two. We are here to see systemic change in how animal cruelty is handled in this city and others.

Yesterday, authorities went to the abusers houses and had the animals brought in for the night. There were no animals outside last night that we are aware of, and we had eyes at a lot of locations. That's not good enough. What's next, the police are going to go to drug dealer's houses and tell them to hide the drugs? This is not law enforcement, this is enabling. Dogs must be seized and abusers must be charged. Nothing less is acceptable.

Lastly, and this is important. Expect a campaign where all those in power blame their incompetence on the laws. It's not their fault... the laws have to change, they will say. So let's talk about the laws... they aren't hard. §350 (2) of New York's Agricultural and Market Laws defines cruelty as every act, omission, or neglect, whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering or death is caused or permitted. Suffering doesn't start at death... it ends there. Keeping these dogs outside on chains causes suffering, and NO veterinarian or expert will tell you otherwise. They need to stop turning a blind eye to animal cruelty. For our eyes are wide open, and we simply won't stand for it any longer.

01/24/2026

This is what it looks like. A dead puppy recently found in the backyard of a house on Sherman Street in Rochester. This is the cold reality of what is going on in that city with animals being left in the bitter subterranean temperatures 24/7. There are more dead dogs and there are more dying, both at this house and many others.

To this point, law enforcement has shrugged their shoulders to these animals plight. At most, they have supplied the abusers with straw and hay to line their dilapidated dog houses. That's the equivalent of giving a band aid to a domestic violence victim while letting the abuser continue his reign of terror. To justify their dereliction of duty, law enforcement will tell you that the laws need to be changed. As someone who ran an a Countywide anti animal cruelty task force as a DA some years ago and can practically recite these laws in Chinese, I'm here to tell you they don't. Dogs being left outside in these temperatures is a crime, and straw or hay doesn't make it any less of one. We have affidavits from a veterinarian stating exactly that.

Laura Thompson, the Humane Investigator at Lollypop Farms, has threatened to arrest... wait for it... the person reporting and documenting the horrific conditions at Sherman Street for filing a false report. There is nothing false about that dead puppy Laura, or any of the other 5 dogs that have died at this property in the past two years.
There is also nothing false about the fact that we are taking a stand for these dogs and all dogs left out in the frigid temperatures to suffer and die. This will be the first of many posts about how we will help and what WE all collectively can do. But we can and will, if we have to, sue the police for being derelict in their duties for leaving these dogs out here to die. For now, we are communicating with Rochester Police and hoping to help them take corrective action immediately. We are prepared to act either in the event that they do... or don't. Of course, we would much prefer to tackle these crimes with them and we are prepared to offer all resources, educational and otherwise, so that we can collectively warm up these freezing dogs.

For now:
1. If you know about a NYS dog suffering in these conditions, please email us at [email protected] with the specifics.
2. If you can foster a NYS dog who is left in the cold like this, and who may not be dog friendly, please fill out https://www.againstalloddzaa.org/get-involved
3. Most importantly, we need legal help. If you are a NYS lawyer or paralegal who wants to assist on a pro bono basis... please reach out. You will make a difference.
This puppy had no name. Let's give him a legacy and STOP the systematic torture of these dogs left outdoors.

02/20/2025

LEGAL CASE:
Smokey is HOME!!! This cat and his owner's story is one of love, loss, determination, and grit.

Smokey was a beloved cat of Robert Kennedy (pictured) and the late Charlotte Kennedy. They got Smokey in a flea market in Colorado 11 years ago. The small family loved and lived together ever since. They traveled together, played laser pointer together and slept in the same bed together. In November of 2022, they moved to Cattaraugus County together. Charlotte Kennedy got sick and passed away early on in 2023. In August of 2023, Robert Kennedy also became very ill and was suddenly rushed to the hospital, where he stayed for multiple weeks. During the commotion, Smokey escaped.

He never went far, waiting for his owner to come home. However, he did begin to go over to a neighbor Colleen's house to play with her indoor/ outdoor cat. Colleen began to feed Smokey and became attached to him. She looked high and low for his owner. Ultimately, believing the cat was abandoned, Colleen adopted him out to someone referred to her by her veterinarian.

By pure happenstance, Colleen and Robert met one day and Colleen discovered that she had given Robert's cat away. Smokey wasn't just a cat to Robert... he was also the last part of his wife Charlotte and the remaining piece of Robert's family. The two zealously tried to get Smokey back from the adopter, but they would not return the cat to his rightful home. They sought police to help; police didn't do anything.

We demanded Smokey's return, but the adopter said that Smokey has escaped. Without proof that the adopter had the cat, it looked like Robert was going to lose his entire family in a year's time. Colleen did not give up on reuniting Robert and Smokey. Through investigation, she found proof that the adopter still had Smokey. We then filed a lawsuit with a TRO and injunction on Robert's behalf demanding Smokey's return and... we won! Saturday, Smokey returned home.

The adopters did not do Smokey any favors. He gained way too much weight with them and is now obese. His hair was matted. However, he has already been to the vet and has played a lot of laser pointer with his Dad who is thrilled to have him back where he belongs.

02/09/2024

Do I look dangerous to you?? Well the good news is now, at long last... I am NOT and my dangerous dog charge is being dismissed by the Town of Webster. And that is reallllly good because if I was ruled dangerous, my family would not have been allowed to keep me because there is a law in Webster where one can't own or possess a dangerous dog there. I could have died!!! And more good news!!! Because of me, the Town will look at that local law and maybe repeal it! I don't quite know what the word means, but my lawyer said it's good!!!

For those who don't know me, (even though I am pretty much as famous as Taylor Swift and much less annoying), I am Violet!!! I was adopted by an extremely loving family and life was good! Last summer, a man and a dog ran at me with the dog off leash when I was walking with my family. The man bent down and put his face in my face and I felt threatened... wouldn't you?? So, I protected my family and, well, you know. I did what I did.

The Town of Webster originally tried to kill me. There was a trial and then AFTER the trial, my lawyer found out that the Judge and prosecutor had a relationship where the prosecutor referred the Judge cases. My lawyer moved to have the Judge recuse himself (My lawyer said it means he'll go away), and he did.

I got a new Judge and new prosecutor and these ones were fair!!! And reasonable!! It took a longggg time...(3.5 dog years), and a lotttt of work, but a deal was reached and I am NOT dangerous. My house arrest is lifted and my family and I are going to hike extra trails to make up for the lost time...and I have to lose some extra lbs now also!!!

I also have a new close friend in my trainer, Kate's K-9's who has helped me immensely... some good has come out of this big ole mess! , I am FREE!!!.

09/03/2023

A beautiful and heartwarming, though horrific story. Please read. Zach Smith and Megan Halsey turned this beautiful dog into Frankenstein with their persistent and profound neglect. There is a photo of their work in the article. Speck and Tiffany Amalfi-Speck have put their heart, soul and lots and lots of money into restoring dignity and beauty to this regal animal. Mission accomplished on their end.
As is often the case, justice for Bo was denied on the part of local authorities. We became involved and through supreme efforts, helped get one of Bo's abusers get appropriately charged. We are thrilled to have played a small part in getting some redemption for Bo but make no mistake. Tiffany and Dave are the true heroes. Posse rescue also stood by Bo and the Specks, helping raise needed and necessary funds for the extensive and life saving treatment Bo needed. The fight isn't over... this doesn't end without a conviction and jail time as far as we are concerned. Done are the days when animal advocates and organizations are resigned to begging and pleading with officials to do the right and ethical thing. We fight.

https://waynetimes.com/news/the-dog-only-love-could-save/...

07/26/2023

NEW CASE:
When Onyx was dropped off at PetSmart Pet Hotel in Henrietta, NY on June 24, 2023, he was as healthy as an ox. He was a very well loved 4 year old Rottie boy, fully up to date on his shots and fixed, whose family was going on a brief vacation.

PetSmart was left with precise instructions that Onyx should not play or socialize with other dogs. On June 29, the family was contacted by the facility, who said Onyx had suffered this horrific injury, which ultimately cost Onyx his right hind leg. The treating veterinarian at the Emergency Vet hospital believes the injury was likely the result of acute trauma.

Yet... no one at Pet Smart is saying anything. They are not releasing videos. They are not paying vet bills or giving any explanation as to how this devastating injury occurred. Someone knows something. More than likely, everyone there knows what took place.

We have already received communications from others who have either worked at that PetSmart or taken their animals there... and have also suffered awful experiences. Meanwhile, Onyx's family continues to pay skyrocketing vet costs while left searching for answers as to what happened to their beloved Rottie when left in PetSmart's care. If anyone out there has them, please let us know... we will ensure full confidentiality and discretion.

07/04/2023

UP FOR FOSTER/ ADOPTION... Pure bred and beautiful golden retriever puppy... details below.

FOSTER/ ADOPTER NEEDED ASAP!!!
Happy 4th, and what is more quintessentially American than a Golden Retriever?? Aside from imperialism, oppression, and...Just kidding!!!! Pit bulls. That's more American. But anyway. About this guy.

Rusty is an 8 month old Golden Retriever that we need to find something for. He is an absolute sweetheart... typical angelic and rambunctious puppy. Great with people... but. He comes from a dysfunctional home and developed one issue that needs to be worked on... food aggression, especially with other animals. To that end, the owners Chihuahua got into his food and in quick fashion... he did kill the Chihuahua. That being said, we are 110% confident that this is an issue that can be dealt with easily... this guy NEEDS out. He is generally good with other dogs aside from the tragic incident just referenced.

We will throw in some free training sessions and can assure you that you will end up with a loyal and loving companion for life. PLEASE share and/or give Rusty the second chance he needs in life. He is fixed and up to date on shots. Given the incident, cats, small dogs and little kids are a no.

07/01/2023

Remember these guys?! When we were first retained on this case about a year ago, Cuco (left) Shi (bottom right), and Unique (top right) had been convicted as dangerous dogs and their futures appeared bleak.

As we investigated the case, we uncovered numerous legal errors and were successful in appealing the dangerous dog. But the fight was just beginning, as all that did was get the case back to where the dogs and their owner still had to stand trial. Now, we uncovered factual errors where we established that the individual who said he was bit by the dogs... was not. Instead, it appears that the allegations were made up on account of racial animus against the owner of these beautiful babies.

Yesterday and once and for all... we were able to get these charges DISMISSED!!! These sweet dogs have never hurt a soul, and the only one dangerous here was the individual persecuting their owner and falsely accused these angels of something they did not do.