Nassau SPCA: About 200 animals removed from poor conditions inside Woodbury veterinarian's home

A veterinarian is facing several animal abuse charges after the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said they found an estimated 200 animals in squalor conditions and deceased animals in cages in her Woodbury home on Thursday.

Nassau SPCA Director Gary Rogers said the group received a phone call on Wednesday from a vet technician who was on the Woodbury Road property and allegedly saw dead animals in cages.

Officials then used a search warrant on Thursday to go into the house, discovering an estimated 150 to 200 animals in deplorable conditions.

The level of hoarding was so extreme, Rogers said, it was difficult for officers to walk around and search the entire house.

Rogers said the SCPA does not have a final count yet of the total amount of animals, as “there were rooms we couldn't even get into.”

“We had bird cages stacked, pushed next to each other, that literally you have to squeeze by to get down the aisles,” he said. “It was very unsafe for people in there to be working.”

Due to the conditions, officers were able to rescue only a portion of the animals, and will return Friday morning for another estimated 38 to 50 animals.

Rogers said the types of animals ranged from dogs and birds to exotics, which the veterinarian did not have permits for.

The exotic animals are now in the care of people or groups that have the correct permits.

Six dogs were in “such bad shape” due to the extreme circumstances that they were taken to a veterinarian for care, but one of those dogs is not expected to live, Rogers said.

Animals rescued on Friday will receive onsite veterinary care, and will then be taken to rehabilitation centers or groups that work closely with the SPCA, he added.

Check back for updates on this developing story.