STOCKHOLM -- A group of St. Lawrence County residents will peacefully assemble at Stockholm Town Court tonight at 5:30 p.m. to act as a unified voice for "Joe" the cocker spaniel.

On Wednesday, May 18, a Winthrop woman found a dog abandoned in a ditch on State Highway 11C.

The dog was picked up by a dog warden and taken to the Potsdam Humane Society, according to Cindy Edwards, who found the dog.

According to a WWNY article, Nyoka Brown, 53, of Winthrop, was charged with animal cruelty related to the incident.

An email from an organizer, Jody Tosti, said:

“Joe's story is not unique. There are many animals who are abused and neglected. This must change. The owner of ‘Joe,’ as he was fondly nicknamed by the caring staff at Potsdam Humane Society, chose to leave him roadside with his feet bound in garland to endure an excruciatingly lonely, cold, painful, undignified death. Join us as we begin a dialogue on how to change New York state laws to better protect the pets in our lives and in our communities. This is about educating ourselves on the law and how to make it work or change it for the better. And, paying tribute to one fur baby too many that has suffered at the hands of a human being.”