Over 100 animals found living in deplorable conditions at home in New Jersey
EDISON, New Jersey (WABC) -- Over 100 animals were found living in deplorable conditions in New Jersey.
Police said they answered a medical call and when they arrived at the home in Edison, they found two men along with scores of dogs, chickens and rabbits.
"So this is an angora bunny. She's an albino. Her eyes are red. They're pretty calm for being in the condition they were in," Edison Animal Control Officer Tina Pasukinski said.
Many of the rabbits, dogs and birds were found in animal carriers on nearly every floor of the home on Stony Road West.
"Over 60 chickens, 14 dogs, 34 rabbits, three parakeets, nine pigeons and there were some animal carcasses in the basement also," Edison Chief Thomas Bryan said.
Edison Mayor Sam Joshi made sure the shelter had everything it needed for the animals rescued.
The chickens, however, have been relocated to a farm where they are being treated and cared for.
The Middlesex County Animal Response Team brought in temperature-controlled trailers for the animals.
The 911 call was originally for one of the people who lived in the home who had a medical emergency.
"My officers go into the house and they observe small animals throughout the whole house in deplorable conditions, very unsanitary, actually a hazardous situation. They notified County Hazmat, OEM, and our animal shelter so everyone responded," Bryan said.
The animals still belong to the homeowner, who is facing animal cruelty charges.
The house is now condemned until the owner brings it up to code.
"All of this is matting. She's literally skin and bones. The matting is underneath her to her skin," Pasukinski said.
A decision will be made during the legal process as to what happens next for the animals.
"They're very big but they were eating anything they wanted, so I don't know if that has something to do with it. They ate feces. It was bad down there," Pasukinski said.
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