It’s the second case of animal hoarding in Springfield in just three weeks. Officials found hundreds of dead animals in an East Forest Park home after it was reported on August 11.
The most recent case was discovered Thursday at the home at 99 Champlain St. in Springfield’s Indian Orchard neighborhood.
Neighbors say they were shocked.
"It's a surprise to me that the house was condemned and it was that severe. It's kind of a shock to know that it was right across the street all this time,” said Eugene Marceau.
The following animals were found at the residence:
•7 dogs
•8 cats
•8 guinea pigs
•4 rabbits
•15 rats
•1 hamster
•1 duck
•6 parrots
Some of the animals are now in the care of the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center in Springfield.
"The conditions in the home were just unimaginable. Unimaginable. And we're hearing from neighbors, again, that these were such nice people, and they wished they had called,” said Pam Peebles, executive director of the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. “Both Allen Street and Champlain -- had someone notified us much sooner, we would have saved untold amounts of suffering.”
Marceau says, he didn't know it was that bad.
"We did hear dogs and birds. You could hear it in the spring and the summer or the fall when the windows are open. You could hear the noise,” Marceau said. "They were quiet. They kept to themselves. They kept the yard up all the time. Just the animal noise. But, it was never anything that warranted a call."
Since the August 11, T. J. O’Connor has taken in 200 live animals, putting a strain on their resources.
"There's an awful lot of animals. Without a full time staff, I don't know if there is anyone that can take care of that many animals and do it well,” Peebles said.
At this time, it’s unclear if charges will be brought against the homeowners. They are set to appear in court Tuesday at 2 p.m.
The owner of the home had no comment Monday.
(Western Mass News - Aug 31, 2015)
No comments:
Post a Comment