Suffolk County SPCA and police rescued 25 dogs from a Bay Shore home they stated was in “unsanitary and inhumane condition."
“A 911 call came in to the SPCA office of someone reporting dogs barking continuously from a house. Neighbors hadn’t seen anyone entering the house for three or four days,” said Roy Gross, Chief of Department, Suffolk County SPCA.
Gross said, “We started our investigation immediately based on that 911 call. If what was reported was true, pets left over three days without water, especially in this heat, could die. We executed a warrant later that afternoon.”
Upon entering the house, SPCA and police said they found that “the house was in absolute deplorable condition.” Gross said, “The smell of ammonia from the urine fumes was at very high level. The Fire Marshall came in and posted ‘uninhabitable’ placards on the house. They shut the power off due to fear of an explosion from the high ammonia content.”
Suffolk SPCA, along with other rescue groups, were there for hours working on rescuing the dogs. The fire department came down with lights to light up the area into the night.
Gross said, “They had to cut some boards out of the deck to get some of the dogs that were underneath the deck hiding.”
SPCA reports that 25 living dogs were rescued.
When asked if deceased dogs were found on site, Gross declined to comment on that part of the investigation, saying their focus was on the treatment of the living dogs. The dogs are all small terrier and Pomeranian mixed-breed animals.
The 1420 Richland Boulevard homeowner, Robin Mills, was not at home at the time of the warrant search, according to police.
Law enforcement reported that Mills has a previous arrest on similar charges from 2017, where 21 dogs and one bird were the victims of misdemeanor animal cruelty for allegedly neglecting 21 dogs and one bird.
Chief of Department Gross said, “The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time.”
Gross made a point to say that the Suffolk SPCA relies on the public for help.
“A situation like this is going to run into quite a bit of money. We can use all the help the public can give.”
Suffolk County SPCA is the county’s only Humane Law Enforcement agency. Their motto is ‘Protecting Suffolk County's animals is the only job we do!’ They rely on donations from you. You can learn more about them and how to volunteer and donate on their website.
The Suffolk County SPCA is a local, independent not-for-profit organization that has been servicing the humane needs, requirements, and enforcement of cruelty laws for Suffolk County, New York, animals since 1984.