Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Three accused of hoarding animals


By DAN O'BRIEN

Forty cats and a dog have been seized from a Deering home by the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, marking the organization's 13th animal hoarding case this year.

ARL Investigator Maureen Prendergast said the Bedford-based non-profit organization is projected to take in 2,175 abused animals this year, compared to 1,905 last year. The ARL is already 58 percent over budget for medical costs to aid abused animals, she said.

"We completely, 100 percent, rely on donations," Prendergast said.

The latest hoarding case comes from 2352 Second N.H. Turnpike in Deering, where police arrested Randy M. Emery, 58, his wife Phyllis A. Emery, 56 and their son, Randy C. Emery, 36, and charged each one Monday with one count of animal cruelty.

Calling the conditions of their home, "deplorable," Prendergast said that earlier this month she and other investigators observed feces and urine on the floors and furniture, which also had a plethora of flies and sneezing cats "" a signal of feline respiratory problems.

"It's not really suitable for even people to be living like that,"

Prendergast said. "You feel bad for the owners as well."

According to court papers, police investigated the Emerys for animal complaints in 2007 and again in January of this year. Police and ARL monitored the conditions of the home, which "significantly deteriorated" this spring.

With the help of police, the ARL took 18 cats from the home June 14 after the family agreed to give them up. Authorities were going to take the remaining cats as well, but the Emerys allegedly refused.

Pictured: Randy M. Emery; Phyllis A. Emery; Randy C. Emery



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