MIDDLE ISLAND, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island woman was charged with animal cruelty after detectives searched her home and discovered that her Labrador was living in a filthy, neglected space that was damaging to its welfare, the Suffolk County SPCA announced on Tuesday.
A search warrant was executed at the Middle Island home of Kathleen O’Brien, 63, on Dec. 11, and the discoveries led her to be charged with multiple counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, the SPCA said.
O’Brien is accused of neglecting her five-year-old Labrador by not providing a safe and clean environment. These charges were leveled after detectives found the dog confined to a home filled with garbage, grime, hundreds of dead flies, feces urine, filthy food and water bowls, authorities said.
The animal was discovered with areas of missing fur, red irritated skin, open sores around the ears, overgrown nails and it had a difficult time walking on flat ground once removed from the debris-filled space. Officials said that the home's interior had garbage and clutter piled over five feet high that the dog had to crawl over.
The dog is healing at a local animal shelter, the SPCA said.
SPCA personnel coughed and gagged upon entry as the “noxious air and odor” of urine, ammonia, rot, feces and food hit them, and their eyes stung, the animal welfare organization said.
O’Brien was arrested on Dec. 13 at Stony Brook Hospital and released. Her home has been placarded as unsafe for occupancy by Brookhaven Town Code officials.
On Dec. 27, O’Brien will appear in First District Court In Central Islip.
Anyone who witnesses any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County is asked to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.