News: Long Island Animal Hoarding
(Long Island, N.Y.) A fifty-six-year-old Glen Clove woman was arrested Thursday for 103 counts of animal cruelty. The woman allegedly had a hundred cats, some of which were kittens, and three ferrets living in a home that was deplorable, uninhabitable, and inhumane. Her landlord was granted an eviction on Monday, and the woman was forced to vacate the home at noontime yesterday after having lived there for two years.
The crimes, a result of hoarding, are classified as a Class A Misdemeanor offense and she will be due in Glen Clove Court on April 19th. Her landlord was the first to notify Glen Clove’s Animal Lovers League because he hadn’t seen his tenant in several days. Though the initial concern was to inquire upon the welfare of her cats, it was soon realized that the animals needed to be rescued. The Animal Lovers League and Glen Clove City Marshall took the animals into protective custody where they will await adoption. Some of the cats will be available for adoption as early as this weekend.
On March 29th and 30th police officers came to the woman’s home after getting a request from the Nassau County District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Unit and Animal Lovers League. They found that though some of the cats were missing hair around the ears, and one was missing an eye, the animals were fed and water was provided. In this prior incident, none of the animals seemed to be suffering from neglect or serious ailments.
Yesterday’s arrest came more from the home’s living conditions, and authorities found once again that the animals were not starved. One report stated that toxic air came from opening a window to the home, and was contaminated by large amounts of ammonia. Animal shelter volunteers had to enter the home wearing protective suits, respirators, boots, gloves, and goggles. They carried crates to help transport the animals to safety.
The woman in question could have received a year in prison for each cat involved, but it is unlikely that she will get jail time since none of the animals were harmed. Instead, officials handling the case are likely to ensure that the woman receive counseling in order to prevent future incidents from happening. The cats removed from her home had no fleas, and will get shots, spayed, neutered, and de-wormed before they are cleaned up and placed on adoption.
Roughly a year ago Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice equipped the Animal Cruelty Unit with a hotline. The hotline has been staffed with specially-trained prosecutors and investigators at all times and hours. Since its creation in February of last year, an estimated seven-hundred tips have been received, allowing the animal cruelty prosecution to increase by more than fourfold. Callers can be anonymous, and in previous times, just two animal cruelty cases per year were brought to the attention of authorities. With the help of the Animal Cruelty Unit and hotline, as many as sixteen cases a year are now prosecuted.
It should be understood that animal cruelty is sometimes an indicator of more serious crimes such as domestic violence, gang violence, and child neglect. About 61% of the hotline’s calls are for dogs and 26% for cats; the rest of the calls deal with birds and smaller or industrial animals. The Animal Cruelty Unit deals with other cases such as gang-run dog fighting rings and has even brought Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus under question for the treatment of nine elephants. The Animal Cruelty Unit is relentless in its pursuit against animal mistreatment, and urges the community to assist in their efforts to speak for the silent victims and abuse behind closed doors. Tax-deductible donations are being accepted by the Animal Lover’s League.
