Suffolk Woman Accused Of Neglecting 6 Dogs, 5 Cats, Hamster: SPCA

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — An East Northport woman was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after a search warrant was executed at her home on Saturday, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Thursday.

Detectives charged Juliana McGarity, 35, with multiple animal cruelty charges, accusing her of neglecting six dogs, five cats, and a hamster in her care by failing to provide a safe and clean environment, said Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk SPCA.

The Suffolk SPCA received multiple complaints, including from a veterinarian who reported administering multiple doses of Narcan to McGarity's golden retriever to reverse an opioid overdose, leading to a stay at an animal hospital in early July, detectives said.

Detectives searching the home found that the animals were confined inside in unsanitary conditions with feces piled in cages and feces strewn about the floor, the SPCA said. The air had the stench of feces, rot, urine, and ammonia that caused investigators to gag and tolerate only short periods inside, authorities said.

The animals found inside had no access to clean water or food and were covered in filth, urine, and feces, detectives said.

"The conditions inside were materially harmful to the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of a vulnerable adult living in the home under McGarity's care," the SPCA stated.

With the cooperation of Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, Town of Huntington Code Enforcement, Town of Huntington Animal Control Officers, and the Town of Islip Fire Marshal's Hazmat Team, McGarity was arrested on Saturday at the residence, and booked at the Suffolk County Police Department's Second Precinct, officials said.

McGarity was held for arraignment the following day at Suffolk County First District Court in Central Islip on 12 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, one felony and one misdemeanor count of endangering an incompetent or physically disabled person, authorities said.

The residence has since been placarded as unfit for occupancy by Huntington Town Code Officials because of the unsanitary conditions inside, officials said.

The animals are being medically treated at the Huntington Animal Shelter will be available for adoption, the SPCA said.

"The Suffolk County SPCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals in the county," the agency wrote. "If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722."