A New York City woman with a history of pet hoarding has once again been indicted on animal cruelty charges after nearly 40 dogs and cats were discovered living in squalor in her Queens home. Elizabeth Grant, 56, was previously banned from owning pets, yet she was found with 26 dogs and 12 cats in her Jackson Heights residence, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities say the animals were kept in appalling conditions, with no access to water and living amid filth, feces, and urine. The home was described as trash-strewn and infested with flies, and police reportedly discovered three dead cats on the premises.
When law enforcement officers arrived at the 82nd Street house with a search warrant on May 21, they were hit with an overpowering stench of ammonia. The smell was so intense that officers and members of the ASPCA had to don respirators after experiencing eye irritation, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Inside, they found the remains of three cats and dozens of living pets, many of which were matted and in poor health. One of the rescued dogs, a blind Shih Tzu, was severely emaciated, dehydrated, and underweight, according to a veterinarian’s report.
The surviving animals were taken to an ASPCA shelter, where they received care and, in many cases, were adopted into new, loving homes.
This marks the fourth time Grant’s home has been raided by authorities on charges of animal cruelty. In 2016, she was convicted on 108 counts of animal cruelty after 70 pets were removed from her property. At that time, she was sentenced to three years of probation and was prohibited from owning pets until 2028.
Despite the ban, Grant allegedly continued to accumulate animals, claiming in court that her life was “meaningless” without them. “I can’t live without animals. I’m not married, I have no children. They are my children,” Grant told Queens Judge Stephanie Zaro during her 2018 sentencing.
Judge Zaro was unsympathetic, responding, “I don’t care if you love them. They were hurt, and no more animals will be hurt by you.”
Grant now faces an 88-count indictment, including charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, criminal contempt, and failing to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal. If convicted, she could spend up to two years in prison. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 27.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz criticized Grant’s actions, stating, “Pets are not collectibles. They require care, adequate food, water, and a clean place to live. Sadly, this defendant is charged with doing little more than accumulating pets and failing to provide the basic sustenance for life. Three animals are dead as a result of this defendant’s alleged negligence, and the others suffered from diseases and other ailments.”
The case highlights the ongoing issue of pet hoarding and the severe consequences it can have on both the animals and the community.
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