New York woman charged after more than 200 animals found in filthy home, prosecutors say

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 — including flying squirrels, hedgehogs, pigeons and chipmunks — were found living in unsanitary conditions in her home, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office

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 — including flying squirrels, hedgehogs, pigeons and chipmunks — were found living in unsanitary conditions in her home, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

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’s office said. Boyd’s partner, Neal Weschler, 61, was charged with animal cruelty.

The district attorney’s Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team, known as BEAST, executed a search warrant at Boyd’s home on Fort Salonga Road on Oct. 1 after receiving a complaint of possible animal hoarding.

Animals in cages found at the New York home.Suffolk County District Attorney “On-site investigation allegedly revealed numerous animals living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions,” the district attorney’s office said.

The domestic and wild animals — 206 in total — 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.