Heartbreaking images show a sad dog that had to be rescued from a pile of urine-soaked junk at a Long Island hoarder’s home that was so dirty emergency responders required hazmat suits.
According to Chief Roy Gross and images, the Suffolk County ASPCA raided Kathleen O’Brien’s Middle Island home, where they found “Gracie,” a frightened 5-year-old black Labrador, peeking out from behind a 5-foot trash can.
Officials said they also encountered a foul smell.
“It was horrible,” Gross told The Post of the smell of urine, ammonia, rotten food and feces, which sent officers rushing to the exits.
“It was stinging his eyes and he had to go outside to breathe fresh air.”
Gross said officers arrived at the Spring Lake Drive home of O’Brien, 63, with a search warrant on Dec. 13 after receiving a complaint.
The chief said Gracie had hair missing, skin that was red, open wounds around the eyes and overgrown nails.
The poor dog was scared and could barely walk when he was taken out of the cluttered house.
Gross recalled, “It was a terrible kind of situation for any person or any animal to be in that situation.”
O’Brien, who was in the hospital at the time of the raid, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty.
He is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Dec. 27.
Her home was later condemned by Brookhaven town code officials.
The neglected dog is now recovering at a local Long Island animal shelter, officials said.
Gross said this disgusting incident is one of more than 1,000 criminal investigations the Suffolk County ASPCA has conducted this year.
According to Gross, few criminals charged with animal cruelty ever receive prison sentences.
“These people know nothing will happen to them and this is a slap on the wrist,” he said.
The Post was unable to reach O’Brien on Wednesday afternoon.
(TagstoTranslate)Long Island(T)Metro(T)Animal Abuse(T)ASPCA(T)Dogs(T)Suffolk County
