Owner denies neglect after 21 dogs removed from Long Island animal day care

MANORHAVEN, New York (WABC) -- An investigation is ongoing after 21 dogs were removed from a commercial building in Manorhaven over the weekend following reports of animals in various stages of neglect, according to police.

Police responded to a call for sick animals at 10:44 p.m. Saturday and entered a Shore Road building, where authorities said they found 21 dogs in various stages of neglect. The dogs were later removed by the Town of North Hempstead Animal Control.

The rescue followed concerns raised by animal advocate Marie Etheridge, who said she went to the storefront after becoming worried about her former foster dog, Eska, which was being boarded at a business operated by Selma Kizil.

"We arrived and the lights are off. The store's vacant and there's a bunch of dogs barking at the door in distress," Etheridge said.

Etheridge said she immediately believed there was a problem when she arrived at the location.

"Selma says the dogs were there throughout the day and no employees showed up. But the conditions those dogs were left in is consistent with the weeks of neglect," Etheridge said.

Kizil, founder of Charlie's Rescue and manager of Jou Jou & Jorgie's Doggy Day Care, disputed claims that the animals had been neglected.

"They're all cared for. They're not neglected," Kizil said.

Kizil told Eyewitness News she was out of town for two weeks when the 911 call was made. She said employees moved the animals to the Manorhaven location on Friday and that she believed they were caring for them.

"Apparently, he didn't do the right thing. There was no water, no food, and no one went out," Kizil said.

Kizil also said the public perception of the case does not reflect her intentions.

"On the media, it looks so evil. I did not leave them neglected and abandoned. I took care of their veterinary. I buy their food," Kizil said.

The Long Island case comes after Kizil was arraigned last month in Pennsylvania on separate charges related to the transportation of 45 animals in a U-Haul. Authorities in that case alleged the animals were kept in inhumane conditions, including without access to water. Police also said that one dog was so severely injured that it had to be euthanized. Kizil has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

No charges have been filed against Kizil in connection with the 21 dogs found in Manorhaven.

"I just really hope that the authorities take this seriously, and I want Eska back," Etheridge said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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