Lawyer Of Long Island Woman Accused Of Having 49 Animals Pleas For Empathy

RONKONKOMA, NY — The defense attorney representing the Ronkonkoma woman whose 49 animals were seized two weeks ago is appealing to the public for their sympathy in viewing the case.

Linda Hart, 79, was arrested April 2 after her home was raided by authorities and now faces 49 counts of animal cruelty.

Nearly all of the animals were found in filthy cages, some of them their hair matted, in what was described by investigators as the worst case of animal hoarding ever seen in Suffolk County, the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals previously told Patch.

Hart pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip and was released on her own recognizance.

Her attorney, John Halverson of Patchogue, said Wednesday that his client rescued many of the animals and she's had them for many years.

"She loved those animals very much," he said. "However, she did run into some mental health problems around COVID time, like many people did.

"I think that we should have some empathy and sympathy for her going forward as I try to work out with the District Attorney's office a fair deal for a nice woman who's never been in trouble," he said.

Hart faces up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.