Long was known to investigators as an animal hoarder, allegedly picking up free kittens featured in local advertisements. Long's neighbors alerted the agency about a foul order emanating from her home in the 200 block of D Street.
The SPCA, unable to gain access to the home without probable cause, alerted the Cumberland County Health Department, which responded immediately. Once inside, the health officials summoned the SPCA. Inside the residence, they said, were deplorable conditions.
Agents said there wasn't a clean surface in the house, saying it was littered with feces and filled with flies.
County health officials served Long with a violation notice because the conditions were deemed a public nuisance. Long has five days to rectify the situation. She has an unlisted phone number and could not be reached for comment.
The SPCA is preparing an animal-cruelty summons. The agency took about 20 cats, five parakeets, a puppy and an assortment of gerbils and hamsters from the property. The cats, mostly kittens, suffered from poor health. Many were euthanized due to severe upper respiratory infections. They had not had proper vet care, and disease rampantly spread, the agency said.
Long voluntarily surrendered the animals.
A bird rescue mission took custody of the parakeets and will care for them until homes are found.
The local SPCA staff washed the puppy, which they've nicknamed Miranda. When cruelty investigators found her, they said, she was thin and smelled bad. Hours later, the shepherd/collie mix was in the Vineland shelter's bath area and had dinner waiting. She will likely soon be up for adoption, as will the variety of gerbils and hamsters. Case Updates| The Judge merged the three charges into one, so she was convicted of one count of cruelty for the 12/18/03 case and given 60 jail time and fines including $30 court costs, $50 violent crimes comp., $75 safe streets fund, and $223 restitution. The Judge then merged the three charges into one from the 3/5/04 charges. She was convicted on that charge and given 90 days jail time and fines including $30 court costs, $50 violent crimes comp., $75 safe streets fund, and $310 restitution. Jail terms to run consecutively and started immediately. | | |
Long was convicted on one count of failing to provide necessary vet care for 1 dog, 20 cats and various rodents. The SPCA received a ruling to visit the property unannounced to inspect, restitution for the animals, and a $500 fine.
Agents attempted visits several times with no luck. Finally in December they got in, found another 15 felines and 38 rodents in need of care. Charges were again filed.
In February 2004, the judge held sentencing until a psychological exam could be done on Ms. Long, made her release custody of any animals in her custody (6 cats, 20 rodents) and told her not to own more animals.
In March 2004 a cat-bite report from a local ER called SPCA agents in again. Ms. Long had been bitten by a cat she reported was hers. Agents arrived at the home, and found no cats, but another 39 rodents were seized. Ms. Long was in front of the Judge that day, and he ordered her held at the county jail.
Sentencing on the 3 charges from December and the 3 charges from March will be held on 4/5/04 at the Millville Municipal court. In all, she faces up to $6000 in fines, 6 months community service, and 2 years in jail | | |
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