Crime & Safety
Long Island Couple Charged With Animal Cruelty
Ten dogs and 20 cats were found living in a home covered with feces and urine, authorities say.
CENTEREACH, NY – A Long Island couple is charged with animal cruelty after authorities found 30 animals living in their home in "deplorable conditions."
On Sunday, Suffolk County SPCA detectives responded to a call from the Centereach Fire Department, which found 20 cats and 10 dogs, including beagles and chihuahuas, living in a single-family home at 86 Holbrook Road in Centereach.
Fumes from the house, which was covered with feces and urine, apparently set off a fire alarm, the SPCA said Monday.
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Kathy V. Fortis, 56, and Henry Fortis, 56, were charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and are scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Sept. 5.
All of the animals were surrendered and transported to the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter for evaluation.
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The house was condemned as inhabitable by the Town of Brookhaven Attorney's Office.
Suffolk County SPCA officials say a Centereach home was condemned after over 30 animals were found living in deplorable conditions. The homeowners were charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty. @FiOS1News_LI pic.twitter.com/7jKeYlermn
— Chelsea Irizarry TV (@Chel_IrizarryTV) July 8, 2019
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