Over 80 neglected dogs have been discovered in a squalid Brooklyn home following the death of an elderly resident.
The police were alerted through a 911 call on Thursday, indicating that one of the two elderly sisters living at a residence on 66th Avenue in Mill Basin had passed away.
Upon their arrival, officers found a 73-year-old woman deceased in a disturbing environment filled with foul-smelling animal waste.
According to the NYC Animal Care Center, the dogs appeared to have suffered neglect, with at least one giving birth when rescuers arrived.
Images released by the shelter reveal the dire conditions faced by many of these dogs.
Neighbors reported that the house was an unbearable sight and sound, often prompting them to notify the authorities.
“The smell is just toxic; I can barely breathe,” shared neighbor Leela Bernstein.
According to a nearby resident, police had attempted to investigate the situation about three weeks prior but were unable to gain entry when no one answered the door. They observed deceased dogs and puppies through a window but couldn’t intervene.
Another neighbor, Alex Singer, recounted, “They tried knocking, but without a solid reason, they said they couldn’t force their way in.”
It was noted that the house likely lacked electricity, leaving the sisters without air conditioning during a recent oppressive heatwave.
At night, they reportedly used flashlights to navigate, as mentioned by a neighbor.
The exact cause of the woman’s death remains unclear.
The Animal Care Center expressed gratitude for the community’s support in caring for the dogs and finding them suitable homes.
“We are thankful for the rescuers, foster parents, and donors who are stepping up in remarkable ways for these dogs,” the shelter stated in a social media update.
