New York: Accused animal hoarder Elizabeth Grant claims retaliatory prosecution from Queens DA

NEW YORK -- An accused animal hoarder claims she’s the victim of vengeful Queens prosecutors, alleging in a Manhattan federal complaint that they are unconstitutionally charging her in retaliation for requesting the return of her 55 cats, 12 dogs and two turtles seized during a raid.

Cops and animal welfare workers searched Elizabeth Grant’s Jackson Heights home Jan. 28 and confiscated her many pets — saying the 48-year-old neglected and underfed them.

 

They charge that she kept them in such a fetid, feces-and-urine-filled environment that they had to use respirators while removing the animals.

The Queens district attorney’s office issued a warrant for her arrest April 15 on animal cruelty charges. The animals are presently in ASPCA custody.

Grant countered that she provided them a loving home and that the Queens DA decided to press charges because she demanded her animals back — violating her First Amendment right to petition the government, she says in court papers.

“All I was doing was helping the community, taking care of sick and abandoned animals,” Grant, who plans on surrendering Tuesday, told the Daily News. “No one was unhealthy. Everyone was taken care of.”

Grant and her 75-year-old mother dedicated their lives to taking care of animals.

The two share a room of their three-bedroom home so that the animals can have more space. They spent $350 weekly to feed the animals — as well as additional money for caretakers when Grant isn’t home. Grant works two jobs and gladly eats at McDonald’s, she said.

“It really just pulled out my heart,” Grant, who’s represented by Richard Rosenthal, said of the ordeal.

“All I want is my name cleared because I am a good person who loves the elderly, loves children and loves animals.”

"We think that what the city is doing, what this (DA) is doing, is totally improper and a violation of the Constitution and Elizabeth’s civil rights,” Rosenthal said.

 

Asked about Grant’s filings, the ASPCA said, “We cannot comment on pending criminal cases; however the ASPCA’s concern is with the health and well-being of the animals involved. The ASPCA assisted the NYPD in the removal of numerous animals from Elizabeth Grant’s home in January 2016 and continues to provide those animals with care.”

City lawyers denied Grant’s allegations.

“In a preliminary ruling, the court said the claims (by Grant) lacked merit,” a Law Department spokesman said.

(NY Daily News - April 26, 2016)

Earlier:

• New York: Elizabeth Grant charged with animal cruelty, cops find 55 cats, 12 dogs and 2 turtles in her home. Elizabeth Grant then goes on several rants in the reader comments section.