NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- A Rockaways man faces animal cruelty and other charges after more than a dozen cats and dogs were found abused and malnourished in his home, along with heroin, fentanyl, an illegal gun and ammo, the Queens district attorney said Monday.
The discovery was made during a police search last Monday on Beach 44th Street in Edgemere, prosecutors said. In total, 11 emaciated dogs and two cats were allegedly found stuffed into undersized cages amid urine and feces.
Cory Elder, 43, was arraigned Sunday on charges that include 13 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals/failure to provide sustenance, as well as 13 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal.
In a statement, Queens D.A. Melinda Katz thanked the NYPD and ASPCA for "rescuing these dogs and cats from their misery."
"As alleged, the defendant tortured these animals," Katz said. "They were abused, malnourished, and kept confined."
According to the D.A.'s office, the animals appeared malnourished with their ribs protruding and no accessible food or water in sight. At least one of the dogs, a German Shepherd, allegedly doesn't belong to Elder.
The animals were all being treated for malnourishment at a local veterinary hospital.
Elder also faces drugs and weapons charges after the search of the home turned up 69 glassine envelopes with heroin and five fentanyl pills in a bedroom, as well as an illegal revolver and .45 caliber ammo, according to prosecutors.
In a separate criminal complaint, he was also charged with third-degree burglary and petit larceny in connection with a Feb. 3 break-in at a smoke shop on Brookville Boulevard in Rosedale. A Brooklyn man was also charged in the robbery.