Former Albany Humane Society director arrested

ALBANY — Andrea Sartiano, the former director of the Albany Humane Society Shelter who was fired by the organization’s board after she failed to adequately meet expectations during a probationary period implemented by the board following complaints about her management of the shelter, was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

Sartiano and a second Humane Society employee were fired by the organization’s board after The Albany Herald published an article in which individuals associated with the animal care facility alleged she had ordered an employee to kill a cat in a manner that is against Humane Society policy.

When the allegations were presented to members of the Humane Society board, Sartiano was placed on a probationary period. Albany Police Department Chief Michael Persley told The Herald at the time of the initial report of the allegations that his department would investigate the matter further to determine if there was any criminal action.

A news release sent out by APD late Wednesday afternoon said that detectives interviewed Sartiano with her attorney present and afterward charged her with aggravated cruelty to animals. “The defendant was transported to the Dougherty County Jail, and detectives cleared the case by arrest,” the report says.

The Humane Society facility is supported financially by the city of Albany.