Hoarding - 112 animals seized
Union, NJ (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007
County: Union
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Joseph Leo
A raid by animal control officers in Union uncovered 64 cats, 13 birds, 11 dogs, nine chinchillas, eight guinea pigs, four rabbits and three ferrets inside a Millton Ave nue residence that reeked of feces and urine, authorities said.
Two dead cats also were found Wednesday in the house on the block-long road near Louisa Street and Morris Avenue.
"There was a very, very bad odor," said Benny Del Mauro, one of two township animal control officers who responded to an anonymous complaint phoned in by a nearby resident.
"The house had an ammonia- like smell," he said. "The neighbors were really upset."
Del Mauro said he and animal control officer Jay Kielwasser initially were denied entry into the house by homeowner Joseph Leo. Police officers were called to the residence, and a search of the premises ensued.
Some of the 112 animals found were in cages, authorities said.
Summonses were pending yesterday against Leo for having unlicensed and unregistered animals, hoarding animals and unsanitary living conditions, authorities said.
They added that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is pursuing a case of animal cruelty against him.
"The health of the animals in general was considered less than optimum," said municipal Health Officer John Ferraioli. "The interior of the home was infested with fleas, urine and feces."
Department of Health and Environmental Protection representative Dennis Malinowski deemed the house unsafe for human or animal habitation, and the residents were asked to vacate.
Leo and an unidentified woman voluntarily released the animals to control officers.
Yesterday afternoon a woman answered the phone at the residence but declined to comment when asked about the raid.
Del Mauro said officials arrived on the scene at 4:15 p.m., and worked until 11:30 p.m. removing animals and relocating them to shelters and with animal groups.
Township Administrator Frank Bradley said assistance came from groups including Long Hill Ken nels, Companion Critters, South Orange Animal Control, Jersey Animal Coalition, Paw Prints Rescue, Summit Animal League, Slinky Katz Rescue and the SPCA.
Bradley added a few remaining animals, including guinea pigs and ferrets, were adopted yesterday by municipal employees. References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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