Steuben County man faces animal abuse and arson charges

A resident of Wayland was recently apprehended and faces charges including arson, animal cruelty, among others, following a sequence of incidents beginning with a blaze in a trailer.

New York State Police report that on September 29, they responded to a call regarding a trailer fire on State Route 63. Investigation led authorities to conclude that Duane Cansdale Jr., aged 30, “intentionally” and “regularly” ignited fires on the trailer’s floor for heating purposes.

Authorities indicated that Cansdale escaped the scene before the arrival of fire services. He was subsequently arrested and faces two counts of arson and one count of reckless endangerment of property.

The following day, authorities were summoned to a residence in Wayland due to a reported breach of a protective order. According to the investigation, Cansdale visited the residence, engaged in a dispute with an occupant, and seized a dog. When police arrived, they observed Cansdale non-compliant with their commands, harshly pulling the dog with a choke collar to the extent that it vomited repeatedly.

Cansdale now faces multiple charges including aggravated criminal contempt, aggravated family offense, aggravated cruelty to animals, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and criminal trespass.

Subsequently, a day later, an eyewitness reported seeing Cansdale, who was under a protective order, removing items from the charred remains of the trailer on State Route 63. He received additional charges of aggravated criminal contempt and aggravated family offense.

Currently, Cansdale is in custody, awaiting his forthcoming court date.