NEW YORK, NY – A Queens man has been charged with failure to properly care for animals after police and animal control personnel found 45 dogs and puppies inside his Broad Channel home living in unhealthy and unsanitary conditions.
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“Animals are voiceless members of our community who deserve proper care and sustenance. In my time as the District Attorney, I have seen far too many cases of cruelty to these sentient beings, who feel pain and suffer distress much in the same way people do. Although there is a dire need for stronger animal cruelty penalties in our state, my office will continue to hold accountable those who choose to neglect or torture defenseless animals in Queens County,” District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement today. “This defendant is facing 90 separate counts of criminal charges for his alleged actions. I thank our partners at the NYPD and the ASPCA for helping to rescue the animals and provide them with proper care.”
According to the charges, on November 16, NYPD officials and ASPCA employees conducting a court-authorized search found 45 dachshund-like dogs and puppies living in Thomson’s one-family residence where feces and urine were found on the floor, walls, and various pieces of furniture. In addition to being covered in feces and urine, the animals had dirty haircoats, overgrown nails, and were suffering from gum disease. A number of white mattresses were found to be almost completely stained brown from excrement and completely chewed through. The officials believed that the animals lacked adequate food and water.
“Once we became aware of the extremely poor conditions these dogs were in, we mobilized quickly to stop their suffering and provide them with expert medical and behavioral care. This case reflects the lifesaving impact of our partnership with the NYPD, and we thank them and the Queens District Attorney’s Office for their continued support in protecting vulnerable animals across New York City,” ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said.
Rescuers and police said a strong smell of ammonia, associated with urine, emanated from within the residence.
“Because the home lacked proper ventilation, responding personnel required masks, respirators, and other personal protective equipment to safely remove the animals from the residence,” the District Attorney’s Office said.