The county has allocated $8.3 million in capital project funding and the center has received additional money from state grants and donations. The county government has been working with DiBernardo and the Hi-Tor board to build a new facility on county land near the Rockland Fire Training Center off Route 45 in Ramapo. "It is a sad day for Rockland County when an individual who is entrusted with overseeing shelter operations and providing vital services to animals in desperate need stands accused of violating the public's trust." County committed to new facility "Many of us have dogs and cats as pets, that become loved members of our families," Walsh said. The shelter has had many volunteers over the years and its operation and treatment of the animals have created divisions and controversy. Walsh said the investigation into Hi Tor followed concerns from the public. The documentation, required by the shelter's contract with the county, violated the center's contract with the county.Ī Rockland grand jury returned an indictment charging DiBernardo with one count of first-degree of offering a false instrument for filing and 17 counts of second-degree falsifying business records, Walsh said. Then on July 1, 2020, as part of DiBernardo's submission of animal documentation to the Rockland Health Department, she allegedly filed an animal intake voucher containing false information. On June 25, 2020, DiBernardo, in her role as president of Hi-Tor Animal Care Center, directed the false entry of documents into the shelter's business records related to the intake of 17 animals, the release stated. Rockland County Executive Ed Day, center, Hi-Tor board president Debbie DiBernardo, left, and director of strategic communications John Lyon look over renderings of the new facility during a ground breaking ceremony on the new Hi-Tor Animal Care Center facility in Pomona on Thursday, October 21, 2021.
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