Queens Woman Who Hoarded 67 Pets Ordered To Counseling

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS -- A Queens woman won't serve prison time for hoarding 67 pets in her home as long as she gets counseling and doesn't own any animals for the next 10 years, a judge ruled on Monday.

Elizabeth Grant, 50, was ordered to serve out her probation under those terms after authorities found the sick, neglected cats and dogs living in her urine-and-feces-filled Jackson Heights home in 2016. She was convicted on more than 100 charges of animal cruelty in March.

"Sadly, the animals suffered while living in a home where the floors and furnishings were covered in feces, fur and urine," said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. "No one should live in such squalor, including the furry four-legged residents of Queens County."

Authorities rescued 55 cats, 12 dogs and two turtles from Grant's home in January 2016, court records state. Each suffered a range of health problems from malnutrition to missing fur to severe infections. One cat even appeared unable to walk, and several animals were so sick they had to be put down.

A crime prevention officer first noticed the myriad of pets living in filth on a trip to Grant's home to visit her mother, who'd recently been a crime victim. She returned later that month with members of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to rescue the neglected pets.

Grant was found guilty of 108 counts of animal cruelty, failure to provide proper sustenance and failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animal. The crimes carry up to two years in prison, but Queens Supreme Court Judge Stephanie Zaro opted for a three-year probation sentence on a slew of conditions.

Along with counseling and a decade-long ban on owning animals, Grant must register as an animal abuser with the New York City Department Health, which will keep shelters and pet stores from adopting or selling to her. She also must consent to unannounced checkups to ensure she's not keeping animals in her home.

(Lead photo via Shutterstock)