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Seventy-nine-year-old Ronkonkoma woman Linda Hart was arrested at her home on Tuesday, April 2, according to the Suffolk County Police SPCA.
Members of the SPCA and Suffolk County Police searched Hart’s home at about noon that day after receiving a complaint, only to discover that she was keeping 49 animals inside the residence.
All of the dogs were kept in cages throughout the home, and many of the animals removed from the scene were covered in urine and feces. Many also were severely matted and covered in thousands of maggots and flies, according to authorities.
Additionally, the air in Hart’s home was allegedly so “noxious” that investigators were having difficulty breathing.
The Town of Ronkonkoma reportedly labeled Hart’s residence as uninhabitable due to the unsanitary and dangerous conditions inside.
Additional help was provided by the Islip Hazmat Unit, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, Islip Animal Control, Islip Building Inspector, Islip Fire Marshall, and Lakeland Fire Department.
Hart is charged with 49 counts of animal cruelty.
She is due to appear in Central Islip’s First District Court on Monday, April 22.
Suffolk County SPCA also encouraged anyone who witnesses any incident of animal cruelty or neglect to report it by calling 631-382-7722.
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