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Up To 150 Animals Found In Medford Home

MEDFORD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- As many as 150 animals were found living in squalid conditions at a home on Long Island on Tuesday.

As CBS 2's Derricke Dennis reported, Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Chief Roy Gross said agents responded to the home at 71 Lincoln Road in Medford after receiving a complaint about the animals Monday night.

The home was under renovation and was covered in Tyvek house wrap at the time the animals were discovered, officials said. The homeowner was apparently hoarding 100 to 150 animals, although early reports said the number amounted to nearly 200.

Up To 150 Animals Found In Medford Home

"There were a number of dogs and cats; there are lizards, birds, either tortoises or turtles, chinchillas, rats, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, I believe some other rodents as well," Gross told 1010 WINS.

150 Animals Found In Squalor In Medford

"At least they got all those animals out of there. I mean nobody should have that many animals," one neighbor told WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirimachs. "I heard the birds squawk once in a while, just figured maybe there was one maybe there was two."

Neighbors said the smell was terrible.

On Tuesday afternoon, crews in biohazard suits were seen hauling the animals from the scene in pet carriers.

Medford Home Where Animals Found In Squalor
Medford Home Where Animals Found In Squalor (credit: Mike Xirinachs / WCBS 880)

As 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported, the animals were cared for by two women who lived in the house, and Maureen Schneider, director of the Brookhaven Town Animal Shelter, said the women had good intentions.

But they were overwhelmed trying to care for so many animals, she said.

"They needed fresh food and water, but most of them are very loving animals, very easy to adopt. They have good personalities," she said.

The animals were reported in all kinds of conditions.

At least one of the women who lived in the house was home most of the day as the animals were being carted off. She was being questioned by police, and was expected to be charged with cruelty to animals, Dennis reported.

Meanwhile, the house was condemned.

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