New Jersey: 86 cats and dogs found stuffed into tiny room

NEW JERSEY -- Two people are in custody and dozens of animals are safe after they were rescued from a New Jersey apartment.

Police in New Jersey found 81 cats and five dogs stuff in crates in a tiny room.

It happened on 52 Street in West New York on Friday.

"Deplorable conditions and the stench of death is all over the room," an official said.

One would not believe what was discovered in the apartment. 86 cats and dogs crowded on top of each other, confined to a tiny 9 by 9 space.

 

A neighbor tipped police on Friday when the odor next door was overwhelming.

"I always had a smell that would come into our unit since the walls meet, but the last few days it was like something died. It was unbearable," said Tanya Rodriguez, a neighbor.

 

"I have never seen animals floor to ceiling, with someone's bed, someone sleeping in that room," said Dr. Gina Miranda-Diaz, West New York Health Department.

"We believe it's a hoarding situation. They try to save one, and one leads to five and then to 10," said Geoffrey Santini, a humane officer.

 

A mother and daughter are being investigated for animal cruelty, and they are searching for the third woman.

"I don't have words for the poor animals. It's heartbreaking," Miranda-Diaz said.

(ABC7NY - May 28, 2016)