Elmira, New York – According to the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, a small dog was force fed coins and thumbtacks for several months. The authorities issued a public release about the cruelty case on November 13, noting that three people are now facing charges related to the incident.
The agency announced the arrest of those involved:
On November 12, 2025, the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office arrested TRACEY R. ITJEN, age 30, of Elmira and DOUGLAS J. ITJEN, age 69, and DARLENE ITJEN, age 67, both of Big Flats.
Recounting how a tip led to the arrests:
The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from the Chemung County Probation Department about possible animal abuse that had occurred on Antler Road in the Town of Big Flats. During the course of the investigation, the Deputy learned that TRACEY R. ITJEN had force fed a small dog several coins and thumbtacks over a period of time from June 2025 to October 2025.
Charges are as follows:
Tracey R. Itjen, for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Felony. Tracey R. Itjen is currently being held at the Chemung County Jail for Violation of Probation and was issued an appearance ticket to appear in Big Flats Town Court at a later date. Upon investigation, Douglas J. Itjen and Darlene Itjen were both arrested for Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals and Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance, a Class A Misdemeanor.
Southern Tier Animal Control removed three dogs from the Big Flats residence. On Friday, the agency provided an update for those concerned about them, writing:
This message is pertaining to the three dogs that we took in for the cruelty arrests in Big Flats…we can’t disclose much because it is a open case, but the dogs are all in good spirit and settling in…they will get the best care while at our Shelter 😊
Thanks for reading, we appreciate your support!
Please support us by visiting our design store on Bonfire!
32 Comments
Hang these 3 evil ugly dirt bags and burn them!!!!
Those who commit egregious animal abuse will go on to do it again if not sufficiently punished. Make the punishment fit the crime.
LOCK THEM UP AND THROUGH AWAY THE KEY
I agree 😡😡😡😡😡😡
Animals abusers should suffer the same fate as they did to animals. An eye for an eye! There’s a T-shirt sold in iHeartsdogs.com that says I support putting animal abusers to sleep. Very apropro! (I think that’s how you spell it.) Very appropriate!
Animals abusers should suffer the same fate as they did to animals. An eye for an eye! There’s a T-shirt sold in iHeartsdogs.com that says I support putting animal abusers to sleep! Very appropriate!
We need every neighbor to CHECK IN ON PETS , just they do with seniors.. PLEASE keep an eye out for our furry neighbors…
What is wrong with people who treat a helpless animal in this manner. Put the same into his prison food, see how he likes it!
Get a rope and be done with these sick, sadistic pieces of garbage.
I agree. Jail is too good for these sick people. We need to get back to corporal punishment. Put offenders in the public eye. Shame them AND punish them.
I grew up in Elmira and I can tell u it is a place with lots of mental illness and poverty. maga type voters who care about nothing but getting high. Sorry place, and y I left.
Leave your politics out of it.
You left Elmira and took your mental illness with you to infect another place. Elmira is now a better place without you.
These people do not deserve to live amongst the human population. The Juice is required
These three pieces of human garbage deserve to experience the same treatment as those innocent animals endured. Make them feel pain, abuse, neglect and starvation so they know first-hand.
Sick animal abusers should be shot in the head and gotten rid of immediately!!
I totally agree with you!!
REALLY!!! doesn’t this disgusting cruel sickness ‘ EVER STOP!! THESE ABHORRENT, DEPLORABLE animal abusers are killing and maiming our companions and we’re getting sick of it!!!!
They all need to be locked up kept away from all animals & humans in society..with ongoing psychological assessments and incarnation big time!!!
Evil ugly sub-human beings. They need hanging
Here. Here. Force feed each one an entire box of tacks first.
yep…. i agreed 1000 %…. and let me be the one to do it….. with a smile on my face….
Monsters!
Can’t say what should happen to these 3 dog-hating freaks of nature; it involves a lot of violence and gore. They’ll get theirs eventually. God (don’t) help them.
Evil to the core, I just despair, I cannot believe that some “human beings” behave in this abhorrent manner. It’s heartbreaking to even read what they have done to this poor little dog, they are without a doubt narcissistic, psychopathic Monsters. Please give them the longest jail sentence possible, to deter other like-minded monsters. They must be put on the animal abuse register immediately and banned from owning any animals for life.
R.I.P. little Dog 🌈🥀
These ugly, mentally deranged animal abusing scumbags definitely require instigation of the death penalty. A slow and agonizing extermination of each of these cretins is essential.
These, ugly, mentally deranged dog abusing scumbags definitely require instigation of the death penalty. A slow and agonizing extermination for each of these morons is essential!
Why did they do this? At first I thought maybe the dog was a neighbor’s dog that annoyed them and while they went for walks would give the dog some “treats” but…NO! it was their own dog!!! WTF??? Were they trying to kill it slowly? torture it slowly? What or why did they do this to one out of their dogs?
I hope their other dogs are ok. And is the one they did this to ok? did it die?
There are no words for what these stupid POS did to that small dog! Please prosecute them to the point they all spend time in prison. Do everything possible to find a new loving home for the dogs that had to live with these degenerates! How anyone could treat an animal like they did is beyond comprehension.
animal abusers need to die. all of them. that is my wish.
My wish too Joe.
I too want them all to die and I am willing to help get the job done. Nothing pisses me off more than abuse to animals, the elderly, disabled, men, women or children. but especially the innocent, trusting animals who have no escape or means to call for help.
Anyone who does this to an innocent, trusting animal needs to be force fed a slow acting poison over a period of time and suffer greatly until their demise.