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New York Post
11-05-2025
- New York Post
It's now a crime for animal abusers to own pets in this LI county: ‘We've closed the loophole'
Suffolk County animal abusers will now face jail time or steep fines if they continue to have pets, according to a new law signed last week — after a local cat house of horrors was uncovered. The county legislature voted to make pet-owning by convicted animal abusers a Class A misdemeanor, a crime that carries penalties of up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine. 'This bill will protect animals, and that's why I'm signing it,' Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine told reporters at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge last week. 3 About 100 dead cats were discovered in a Bohemia animal house of horrors — with two dozen felines found in the freezer and the remains of kittens in old cat-food boxes. John Roca 'We have an obligation to care for our pets and our animals,' Romaine said. Suffolk already required convicted animal abusers to add their name and contact information to a registry. It became the first county in the country to do so in 2010. The Suffolk County Police Department and district attorney's office are in charge of maintaining the registry, which currently lists 30 people, according to the county's website. Offenders remain on the registry for 10 years unless they're convicted of another animal-related crime, in which case the clock resets. Having your name on the list already meant you could no longer own a pet — but until now, there was no real punishment for breaking that rule, said Suffolk Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, who sponsored the legislation. 'We've closed the loophole,' Bontempi said at the event, 'It's something that shouldn't even be an issue, but I'm glad we were able to get this legislation on the books.' 3 The Suffolk County Police Department and district attorney's office are in charge of maintaining the registry, which currently lists 30 people, according to the county's website. James Messerschmidt Bontempi told reporters that the loophole first came to her attention after a 2022 cyberattack on the county that temporarily took down the registry. The new law was signed just a few days after about 100 dead cats were discovered in a Bohemia animal house of horrors — with two dozen felines found in the freezer and the remains of kittens in old cat-food boxes. Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said he was 'beyond excited' to see the law finally pass after years of fighting for stricter penalties. 'For the first time, we actually have the power to take action against repeat offenders — before, our hands were tied,' he told Newsday. 3 Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said he was 'beyond excited' to see the law finally pass after years of fighting for stricter penalties. Aristide Economopoulos for The NY Post The legislation is the latest move by the county to crack down on animal cruelty. In January, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney rolled out 'Operation Bloodhound' — a joint effort between his office and the county's Police Warrant Squad to track down defendants charged with animal cruelty or neglect who skipped court or jumped bail. The latest initiative builds on the county's creation of the Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team — or BEAST unit — launched three years ago to ensure animal-abuse cases are followed through and repeat offenders are held accountable. 'Do not abuse animals.' Romaine said. 'We will go after you, and we will prosecute you, and we will protect our animals.'
Vancouver Sun
09-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
'Grime and filth': Man charged with animal cruelty after nearly 100 cats found in home, dozens dead
A New York man has been charged with animal cruelty after nearly 100 cats — dozens of which were dead — were found in his home last weekend. The 75-year-old man was arrested on May 6 after detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) arrived at his residence in Bohemia, a Long Island community. He faces 18 misdemeanour counts of cruelty to animals and animal neglect, according to Chief of the Suffolk SPCA Roy Gross. A post shared by SPCA of Suffolk County, NY (@suffolk_spca) Authorities received a complaint 'of dozens of cats living in poor, squalid conditions as well as many deceased cats in a freezer,' according to a Facebook post by the SPCA. When detectives arrived at the property on May 3, they found the man with the animals that he allegedly neglected while they were in his care. The man and the cats were living amongst 'wet urine, smeared feces, grime, and filth covering the floors, walls, and stairs.' 'The overpowering foul odours of feces, rot, grime, and ammonia were so severe' that the SPCA requested a hazmat team and backup from the fire department. After conducting an evaluation of the air and structure, fire mashals found high readings of ammonia gas inside the home. The residence was deemed unfit for human occupancy. In the freezer, detectives from the SPCA 'found multiple wrapped items' that contained more than twenty deceased kittens. The New York Post reported that the man lived in the home with his late wife for 30 years, but she died a few weeks ago. A neighbour told the publication that cats were attracted to the residence because the pair would put out food. Gross told the N.Y. Post that if convicted, the man would be added to a registry preventing him from owning a pet for five years. On Saturday and Sunday, teams worked to trap 61 cats, some of which were pregnant. They were taken to the Islip Town Animal Shelter and received veterinary care. 'Many cats presented with medical conditions including upper respiratory infections, urine scalding, eye disease, dental disease, missing teeth, and ear discharge; three cats were in such severe physical condition they required humane euthanasia,' per the SPCA. In a post on Facebook on Wednesday, vice president of the Long Island Cat/Kitten Solution John Debacker shared a photo of one of the cats rescued from the home in Bohemia. He said that twelve of the cats would be transferred to rescues on Thursday. Inside the mobile SPCA trailer where some of the Bohemia cats are being housed, 12 of them are being transferred to rescues tomorrow! Woot woot! :) All of the cats will eventually be put up for adoption through the shelter once they are medically stable. The accused is due to be arraigned in Suffolk County First District Court on May 23 at 9 a.m. ET. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Calgary Herald
09-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
'Grime and filth': Man charged with animal cruelty after nearly 100 cats found in home, dozens dead
A New York man has been charged with animal cruelty after nearly 100 cats — dozens of which were dead — were found in his home last weekend. Article content Article content The 75-year-old man was arrested on May 6 after detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) arrived at his residence in Bohemia, a Long Island community. He faces 18 misdemeanour counts of cruelty to animals and animal neglect, according to Chief of the Suffolk SPCA Roy Gross. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by SPCA of Suffolk County, NY (@suffolk_spca) Article content Article content Authorities received a complaint 'of dozens of cats living in poor, squalid conditions as well as many deceased cats in a freezer,' according to a Facebook post by the SPCA. Article content Article content When detectives arrived at the property on May 3, they found the man with the animals that he allegedly neglected while they were in his care. The man and the cats were living amongst 'wet urine, smeared feces, grime, and filth covering the floors, walls, and stairs.' Article content 'The overpowering foul odours of feces, rot, grime, and ammonia were so severe' that the SPCA requested a hazmat team and backup from the fire department. After conducting an evaluation of the air and structure, fire mashals found high readings of ammonia gas inside the home. The residence was deemed unfit for human occupancy. Article content In the freezer, detectives from the SPCA 'found multiple wrapped items' that contained more than twenty deceased kittens. Article content The New York Post reported that the man lived in the home with his late wife for 30 years, but she died a few weeks ago. A neighbour told the publication that cats were attracted to the residence because the pair would put out food. Gross told the N.Y. Post that if convicted, the man would be added to a registry preventing him from owning a pet for five years.
National Post
09-05-2025
- National Post
'Grime and filth': Man charged with animal cruelty after nearly 100 cats found in home, dozens dead
A New York man has been charged with animal cruelty after nearly 100 cats — dozens of which were dead — were found in his home last weekend. Article content Article content The 75-year-old man was arrested on May 6 after detectives from the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) arrived at his residence in Bohemia, a Long Island community. He faces 18 misdemeanour counts of cruelty to animals and animal neglect, according to Chief of the Suffolk SPCA Roy Gross. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by SPCA of Suffolk County, NY (@suffolk_spca) Article content Article content Authorities received a complaint 'of dozens of cats living in poor, squalid conditions as well as many deceased cats in a freezer,' according to a Facebook post by the SPCA. Article content Article content When detectives arrived at the property on May 3, they found the man with the animals that he allegedly neglected while they were in his care. The man and the cats were living amongst 'wet urine, smeared feces, grime, and filth covering the floors, walls, and stairs.' Article content 'The overpowering foul odours of feces, rot, grime, and ammonia were so severe' that the SPCA requested a hazmat team and backup from the fire department. After conducting an evaluation of the air and structure, fire mashals found high readings of ammonia gas inside the home. The residence was deemed unfit for human occupancy. Article content In the freezer, detectives from the SPCA 'found multiple wrapped items' that contained more than twenty deceased kittens. Article content The New York Post reported that the man lived in the home with his late wife for 30 years, but she died a few weeks ago. A neighbour told the publication that cats were attracted to the residence because the pair would put out food. Gross told the N.Y. Post that if convicted, the man would be added to a registry preventing him from owning a pet for five years.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Over 25 Cats Found Dead In US House After Neighbours Report Unpleasant Odour
At least 28 cats were found dead and another 100 were rescued from a Bohemia home in New York after neighbours reported a strong, unpleasant odour emanating from the property. The house, once worth $7,25,000 (approx. Rs 6 crore), has now been declared unfit to live in. The Bohemia Fire Department reached the property for investigation when they saw dozens of cats roaming freely, living in filthy and overcrowded conditions. Upon investigation, the BFD found about two dozen dead cats stuffed inside the freezer and the bodies of baby kittens in old pet boxes, reported The NY Post. They also said the state of the house was so filthy that one of the rescue workers threw up after going inside and had to be taken to the emergency room. Roy Gross, the chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, said the rescued cats were in poor health. John Debacker, head of Long Island Cat and Kitten Solutions, said, "Someone who was in there yesterday started vomiting and had to be taken to the hospital." Tammy Gatto, a volunteer with Long Island Cat and Kitten Solutions, said, "It was crazy. There had to be like, a hundred Chewy boxes in the entire house. They were scattered in every room, and there were little bodies, dead bodies, inside." Mr Gross said that over 50 cats were immediately taken to the vets; three had to be euthanised last night because they were very sick. He said, "We were called in and we found 28 dead cats, over 50 cats alive. Those cats are right now with volunteer veterinarians, and they have a long road ahead of recovery. They're all very sick - three of the cats had to be euthanized last night," he added. Ms Gatto said that she had to take five breaks in her two-and-a-half hours spent in the house. Even though they were wearing hazmat suits and had respirators on, the smell was too much to handle, she said. Rescue workers found frightened kittens attempting to escape through the windows. When they caught them, many of the workers ended up with scratches. The neighbours told the authorities that the owner of the house, identified as Steven Glantz, 75, had been feeding stray cats in his backyard for years who were eventually taken inside. But after his wife died a few years ago, he felt alone and couldn't take care of the felines. With help from the Town of Islip Animal Shelter, the cats are being kept and cared for in the mobile clinic run by the animal rescue group. The SPCA is looking for $10,000 (approx. 8.2 lakh) in donations to help in the treatment of sick cats.
