QUEENS, N.Y. — A Queens woman has been charged in an 88-count indictment for allegedly subjecting over 20 dogs and cats to severe neglect in a squalid Jackson Heights home, leading to the deaths of three cats. Elizabeth Grant, 56, faces charges including aggravated cruelty to animals, criminal contempt, and other offenses, announced Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
“Pets are not collectibles. They require care, adequate food and water, and a clean place to live,” District Attorney Katz stated. “Three animals are dead as a result of this defendant’s alleged negligence and the others suffered from diseases and other ailments.”
The charges stem from a May 21, 2024, search of Grant’s home on 82nd Street, where police found the animals living in deplorable conditions.
The residence reeked of ammonia, with feces, urine, and fur covering the furniture and floors. The NYPD and ASPCA teams, who needed respirators due to the strong odor, found 26 dogs and 12 cats, along with three deceased cats. The rescued animals were in various states of distress, with some severely underweight, dehydrated, and suffering from untreated medical conditions.
Stacy Wolf, senior vice president of ASPCA Policy, Response & Engagement, highlighted the severity of the case, noting the significant strain it placed on local resources and the suffering it caused. The rescued animals have since received medical and behavioral care at the ASPCA’s Animal Recovery Center in Manhattan, with many being adopted into new homes.
The criminal contempt charge against Grant arises from her alleged violation of a court order barring her from owning or caring for animals through April 30, 2028. If convicted, she could face up to two years in jail.
Grant was arraigned before Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino, who set her next court date for September 27, 2024. The investigation was conducted by officers from the NYPD’s 115th Precinct.
