By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-18 21:44:12 | Updated at 2024-12-19 00:13:56
2 hours ago
Heartrending images show a sad pooch that had to be saved from a mountain of junk in a urine-drenched Long Island hoarder home so filthy that emergency responders needed hazmat suits.
The Suffolk County ASPCA raided Kathleen O’Brien’s Middle Island home, where they found “Gracie,” a scared 5-year-old black Labrador peeking out behind a 5-foot pile of trash, according to Chief Roy Gross and the images.
Gracie, a 5-year-old black Labrador, was found in a filthy Middle Island home. Suffolk County SPCAThey were also met with an overwhelming putrid stench, officials said.
“It was just horrible,” Gross told The Post about the smell of urine, ammonia, rotten food and feces that sent gagging officers running for the exit.
“It was stinging their eyes out and they had to keep going out to get a breath of fresh air.”
Officers had arrived Dec. 13 with a search warrant at 63-year-old O’Brien’s Spring Lake Drive home after receiving a complaint, Gross said.
Gracie was discovered with areas of missing fur, red irritated skin, open sores around her eyes and overgrown nails, the chief said.
Gracie was found with areas of missing fur, red irritated skin, open sores around her eyes and overgrown nails. Suffolk County SPCAThe poor pooch was frightened and could barely walk when taken out of the clutter-filled home.
“It was a horrible type of situation for anyone or any animal to be living in a situation like that,” Gross recalled.
O’Brien, who was in the hospital at the time of the raid, was arrested and slapped with multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
She is set to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Dec. 27.
Her home was later condemned by Brookhaven Town Code officials.
The neglected dog is now on the mend at a local Long Island animal shelter, authorities said.
Gross said the disgusting incident is one of over 1,000 criminal investigations the Suffolk County ASPCA has probed this year.
Few of the offenders charged with animal cruelty ever get jail time, according to Gross.
“These people know that nothing will happen to them and it’s a slap on the wrist,” he said.
The Post was unable to reach O’Brien on Wednesday afternoon.
