A certified wildlife rehabilitator for the state of New York was arrested and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after more than 200 wild and domestic animals — including flying squirrels, hedgehogs, pigeons and chipmunks — were found living in unsanitary conditions in her home, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Samantha Boyd, 57, of Northport, was also charged with endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person after a 95-year-old woman was discovered living at the premises, the district attorney’s office said. Boyd’s partner, Neal Weschler, 61, was charged with animal cruelty.
The district attorney’s Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team, known as BEAST, executed a search warrant at Boyd’s home on Fort Salonga Road on Oct. 1 after receiving a complaint of possible animal hoarding.
Animals in cages found at the New York home.Suffolk County District Attorney
“On-site investigation allegedly revealed numerous animals living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions,” the district attorney’s office said.
The domestic and wild animals — 206 in total — included roosters, squirrels, ducks, pigeons, quail, rabbits, crows, starlings, geese, chipmunks, doves, chickens, hamsters, ferrets, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, voles, flying squirrels, parakeets, parrots, cockatoos, chinchillas, cats, tortoises, dogs, turkeys and other species.
District Attorney Raymond Tierney called the case “a deeply distressing situation.”
“Animal cruelty and neglect will not be tolerated in our county,” he said in a statement.
The animals were allegedly found in cages containing “piles of waste and filth” and unsanitary water and food, the district attorney’s office said. The house was also allegedly “infested with insects, spiders, and other pests,” as well as cluttered with “wall-to-wall debris, garbage, and household waste, making certain areas impassable.”
A dog found at the home.Suffolk County District Attorney
The 95-year-old woman was found on the second floor of the home, allegedly trapped by the debris, the district attorney’s office said. It is unclear what relationship she has to Boyd or Weschler.
All of the animals were rescued from the home by the BEAST unit and several nonprofits, prosecutors said.
A ferret found at the home.Suffolk County District Attorney
Boyd was charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person and five counts of neglecting an impounded animal, according to court records. She has since been arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), wildlife rehabilitators “aid in the care and recuperation of injured or sick wild animals.” A license for the role could take anywhere from one to five years to obtain, according to its website.
DEC did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
State authorities have been notified of the alleged findings in Boyd’s home. It is unclear if she has an attorney at this time.
Weschler was charged with multiple counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, prosecutors said. It is also unclear if Weschler has been arraigned or has an attorney.
Many of the animals rescued from Boyd’s home will be available for adoption soon, according to the district attorney’s office.