Chinchillas, Deer amid 60-Plus Hoarded Animals

Suffolk County Police uncovered an unusual and alarming case of animal meanness on Long Island Tuesday -- numerous animals, including farm animals and exotic pets, were found inside of a Shirley home. According to Quality of Life Task Force investigators: one cow, one pig, eight goats, five dogs, six cats, two ducks (one was found dead), several chinchillas, one sun conure (a type of bird), two cockatiels, seven fancy rats, two love birds, three hens, one pheasant, one diamond dove, several cats, and approximately 75 pigeons were removed from the house, with five of the pigeons found dead. Veterinarians were at the scene to help the animals who could motionless be saved.

“This animal hoarding is one of the most egregious excellence of Life Task Force cases we have seen," according to Supervisor Mark Lesko. Many animals inside the house were already dead, and firefighters were forced to don HazMat suits with gasp devices to be able to investigate the basement of the house, where many of the Pets animal corpses were left to rot. Feces covered the inside of the residence, and the front and back yards were littered with abandoned tractor equipment. The home is owned by an 85-year-old woman, but a 23-year-old male care taker was taken into custody. He has reportedly said that the animals are his. Criminal charges are predictable but have not yet been filed.