RyeCity REVIEW THE
July 20, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 29 | www.ryecityreview.com
Greatest show on earth? County lawmakers are considering passing a law that would restrict animals from taking part in circus performances or any entertainment purposes in Westchester due to a history of inhumane conditions and mistreatment of the animals. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Pixabay.com
Mamaroneck father sues village, PD over daughter’s death By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The father of a deceased toddler, Gabriella Boyd, is planning to sue Mamaroneck police and Westchester County claiming law enforcement failed to properly enforce a court order granting him custody of the child.The notice of claim, filed earlier this month, accuses Mamaroneck police officers of negligence in enforcing a court order that would have removed Boyd, 3, from the custody of her mother and suspected murderer Cynthia Arce, and is seeking monetary damages.
As of press time, the exact amount of money sought has yet to be determined. In particular, the claim focuses on a home visit made by officers and Steven Boyd, the father, the day prior to his daughter’s death in which Arce, 28, slammed the door on officers attempting to gain custody. Subsequently, the officers decided to leave the Chestnut Avenue residence without the toddler. “Incredibly, the officers decided to leave the scene, apparently either unaware of what their duties were, in denial of them or in complete ignorance of them,” the notice of claim alleges.
On April 28, the day after officers initially left Arce’s home without the daughter, a 911 call from a neighbor stating that the daughter was in need of medical attention sent them immediately back. At the scene, an injured Gabriella Boyd was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead. A violent altercation between Arce and police officers ensued, where she allegedly attacked two officers with a. In the aftermath, two officers were injured and Arce was sent to intensive care after being shot three times. Arce has recovered from her injuries and now faces
charges that include two counts of attempted murder. The official cause of Gabriella Boyd’s death has yet to be released by the county medical examiner. In addition to the county—who originally issued the court order—and village Police Department, the village of Mamaroneck is also named in the claim, which will likely lead to a lawsuit. The incident is currently being investigated by the Child Fatality Review Team, an agency that combines members of the county departments of Health, and Social Services, the medical SUES continued on page 8
Longhorned tick found in Westchester The longhorned tick has arrived in Westchester County. The New York State departments of Health, and Agriculture and Markets confirmed the presence of this tick, whose scientific name is Haemaphysalis longicornis tick, in the county. The tick is native to Australia, New Zealand and eastern Asian, but has been found recently in New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas and now New York. While the longhorned tick has transmitted disease to humans in other parts of the world, more research is needed to determine whether this can happen in the U.S. County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler is once again advising Westchester residents to protect themselves, their farm animals and pets against ticks. “It is always better to prevent tick bites whenever possible and to remove ticks as soon as possible, and the discovery of a new tick in our area gives us one more reason to be vigilant in performing tick checks on ourselves, our children and pets,” Amler said. “Farmers and livestock owners should consult with their veterinarians and continue to use the same preventive measures that work for other ticks.” State Health Department research scientists collaborated with researchers at Fordham University and at the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center of New York Medical College to identify these ticks. The identifications were confirmed by the Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This tick is a concern for the agricultural industry because it may pose a threat to livestock. The state and county Health departments advise farmers to work with their veterinarians to check their animals, particularly cattle, sheep
Westchester health officials have announced that the longhorned tick has made its way into the county, and is believed to have the ability to transmit diseases to humans. Photo courtesy insectimages.org
and horses, for exposure to ticks and to ensure their parasite control plans are up to date and working. Symptoms of tick-borne disease in cattle include fever, lack of appetite, dehydration, weakness and labored breathing. If longhorned ticks are suspected, farmers should consult with their veterinarians and can contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Industry at 518-4573502 or dai@agriculture.ny.gov for more information. Tick prevention and removal tips are available at westchestergov. com/health and include: • While hiking, working or spending time in wooded areas: • Wear long pants and longsleeved shirts to protect against ticks and other biting insects. • Check for ticks often while outdoors and brush off any ticks before they attach. • Perform a full body check multiple times during the day, as well as at the end of the day to ensure that no ticks are attached. • Consider use of repellents containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535, following label instructions. If you have been bitten by a tick of any kind, contact your health care provider immediately if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms. (Submitted)