Margaretville man pleads guilty to killing, eating a dog

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DELHI, NY (WIVT/WBGH) — A Margaretville man is facing up to four years in prison after pleading guilty to Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office announced this week.

On March 21, 2024, 32-year-old James Lor, of Margaretville was indicted on one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals after New York State Police visited Lor at his residence on March 12 to follow up on community 9-1-1 complaints that alleged Lor killed his dog and had attempted to eat its organs.

Lor was remanded without bail for violating the terms of his probation.

Months later on Monday, August 12, Lor was seen before a Delaware County Court Judge to plead guilty to the crime. In pleading guilty, Lor admitted to killing the dog by slashing her throat with a knife. Lor was sentenced to one and one-third years to four years in prison for violating terms of probation.

Lor was given a chance to make a statement during sentencing, which he took advantage of. According to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Lor said it might seem gross to take bites out of the dogs heart, but did it to “honor her.”

He also admitted to harvesting the dog’s adrenal glands after she had died. He repeatedly stated he was showing mercy on the dog and that his actions were not cruel. He did show remorse for not bringing the dog to the vet to have her put down in a proper fashion.

“Today brings a close to a truly senseless crime,” District Attorney Shawn Smith said. “When Mr. Lor killed that dog, he did not do so out of mercy or compassion. He did so out of cruelty towards a defenseless pet,” Smith added.

Smith also said the sentence reflects the crime.

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