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57 animals seized in hoarding case from repeat offender
Cambridge, NY (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2011
County: Washington
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Kimberly A. Markey
Cambridge-Greenwich Police and a local SPCA seized 57 animals on Wednesday at a Rockside Drive home, under the suspicion that the animals had been neglected.
Animals were found in cages littered with feces and with no indication they had been routinely fed or provided with water, according to Cambridge-Greenwich Police Chief George Bell.
Some cages blocked other cages, and the tank water for turtles was black and brown, Bell said.
Pets ranged from exotic birds to cats, dogs, chinchillas and turtles. Most were found in the single-family home. Several dogs were caged in a garage.
The house, at 2 Rockside Drive, is owned by Kimberly Markey, 42 could not be reached Wednesday.
Markey's boyfriend may also be charged, Bell said.
Markey told police she was unemployed, was running out of money and hadn't cleaned the cages in two weeks, Bell said.
Police officers went to the house with a search warrant. The house was also condemned by Washington County Code Enforcement for filth and other violations, Bell said.
Neighbors provided tips about the suspected neglect, complaining that rats were in the area, Bell said.
Cambridge-Greenwich Police, Washington County SPCA and the county Social Services Department assisted in the seizure.
Police Chief George Bell said Markey -- who works as a registered nurse -- agreed to relinquish to the SPCA all but the cats and dogs. The SPCA has the cats and dogs pending the disposition of the criminal charges.
About five years ago, Markey voluntarily surrendered some animals because they were malnourished and neglected, but she was not charged, Bell said.
Markey is being charged with 9 counts of Animal Cruelty. She is due in Cambridge Village Court Monday night at 7:00 p.m. References |
