Hoarding - 60 cats seized, explosives discovered
Ravena, NY (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Oct 2, 2008
County: Albany
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Richard Porfert
» Mary Porfert
Upcoming Court Dates:
» Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A portion of Orchard Avenue in Ravena was blocked off Thursday night while the Coeymans Police Department and the State Police Bomb Squad investigated a home with several live explosives inside.
Police say they responded to 23 Orchard Avenue after being notified by the Humane Society who was investigating possible animal abuse. Numerous cats were taken from the home and three cats were found dead, in conditions that police called deplorable.
The State Police Bomb Squad removed numerous live explosives including live hand grenades, land mines, aerial bombs and a laser guided rocket. Police say the homeowners appeared to be avid collectors of war memorabilia. All of the explosives will be destroyed by the State Police.
Investigators are looking into the condition of the animals and how homeowners were able to obtain all the explosives. Police say charges are likely.
Homes surrounding 23 Orchard Avenue were evacuated and the street was blocked off for most of Thursday evening while police investigated.
Case UpdatesA Ravena couple was arraigned Wednesday on 17 counts each of animal cruelty.
Officials removed more than two dozen cats and several explosives from Richard and Mary Porfert's Orchard Avenue home on Oct. 3.
The Humane Society was investigating a complaint of possible animal abuse at the residence when they found the explosives and called police.
Police evacuated the area after they found a laser guided rocket, grenades and other war memorabilia.
Coeymans police are awaiting results from the State Police Bomb Squad to determine what may have been live or fake.
As for the animals, the Porferts told animal control they hadn't been able to get into their kitchen for at least a year because cat feces covered nearly every surface. At least one cat was found dead.
The couple was released on bail and will return to court on Oct. 22 | Source: Capital News 9 - Oct 9, 2008
Update posted on Oct 9, 2008 - 9:41AM |
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