Athens man first to be placed on county’s animal abuse registry

ATHENS―An Athens man is now the first person that will be placed on Greene County’s Animal Abuse Registry.

Georgios Chrisomalis, 76, was arrested in December of 2025 after 99 animals were removed from what the Greene County Sheriff’s Office described as “deplorable conditions” at his 20 Lime Kiln Road property.

Last month, Chrisomalis was convicted in Athens Town Court on five counts of overdriving, torturing or injuries animals/failure to provide sustenance, in violation of the state Agricultural and Markets Law.

He was sentenced to a term of probation and is required to register on the county’s Animal Abuse Registry.

The registry, established by the Greene County Legislature in 2021, is maintained by the sheriff’s office. It restricts people who have been convicted of committing serious animal welfare crimes after July of 2021 from owning or living with an animal for a period of 15 years.

Any person or entity transferring an animal to within Greene County is required to check the registry to see if the individual obtaining ownership is listed. Up until now, the registry has been empty.

Chrisomalis’ arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the sheriff’s office and Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA.

A search and seizure warrant executed at his property resulted in the removal of cats, cows, goats, chicken, geese and dogs, including 18 Belgian Malinois.

The registry can be found at https://greenecountyny.gov/departments/sheriff.