A certified wildlife rehabilitator for the state of New York was arrested and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after more than 200 wild and domestic animals \u2014 including flying squirrels, hedgehogs, pigeons and chipmunks \u2014 were found living in unsanitary conditions in her home, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Samantha Boyd, 57, of Northport, was also charged with endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person after a 95-year-old woman was discovered living at the premises, the district attorney\u2019s office said. Boyd\u2019s partner, Neal Weschler, 61, was charged with animal cruelty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The district attorney\u2019s Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team, known as BEAST, executed a search warrant at Boyd\u2019s home on Fort Salonga Road on Oct. 1 after receiving a complaint of possible animal hoarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn-site investigation allegedly revealed numerous animals living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions,\u201d the district attorney\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The domestic and wild animals \u2014 206 in total \u2014 included roosters, squirrels, ducks, pigeons, quail, rabbits, crows, starlings, geese, chipmunks, doves, chickens, hamsters, ferrets, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, voles, flying squirrels, parakeets, parrots, cockatoos, chinchillas, cats, tortoises, dogs, turkeys and other species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
District Attorney Raymond Tierney called the case \u201ca deeply distressing situation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnimal cruelty and neglect will not be tolerated in our county,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The animals were allegedly found in cages containing \u201cpiles of waste and filth\u201d and unsanitary water and food, the district attorney\u2019s office said. The house was also allegedly \u201cinfested with insects, spiders, and other pests,\u201d as well as cluttered with \u201cwall-to-wall debris, garbage, and household waste, making certain areas impassable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 95-year-old woman was found on the second floor of the home, allegedly trapped by the debris, the district attorney\u2019s office said. It is unclear what relationship she has to Boyd or Weschler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of the animals were rescued from the home by the BEAST unit and several nonprofits, prosecutors said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boyd was charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person and five counts of neglecting an impounded animal, according to court records. She has since been arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the New York\u2019s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), wildlife rehabilitators \u201caid in the care and recuperation of injured or sick wild animals.\u201d A license for the role could take anywhere from one to five years to obtain, according to its website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DEC did not immediately respond to NBC News\u2019 request for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State authorities have been notified of the alleged findings in Boyd\u2019s home. It is unclear if she has an attorney at this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weschler was charged with multiple counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, prosecutors said. It is also unclear if Weschler has been arraigned or has an attorney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of the animals rescued from Boyd\u2019s home will be available for adoption soon, according to the district attorney\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n