26 Cats Rescued From Islp Hoarding Conditions, Father And Son Arrested – NBC New York (47)

NEW YORK — Long Islanders called a dilapidated house on their street an eyesore that reeked the neighborhood, but police said it was even worse inside, where a gruesome animal hoarding situation was uncovered.

More than two dozen cats (26 in all) were rescued from the home in Islip, living in dirt and covered in feces, according to the police commissioner, with little food and no water. The cats were starving and dehydrated when emergency responders arrived at the home Tuesday night.

“As a cat owner myself, I am disgusted by this case and very happy that we were able to rescue those cats,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.

Some seemed frightened when they were taken from the house, and others required medical attention for ailments they suffered from during their days in the house, which has since been condemned.

Gary and Daniel Verga, the father and adult son who lived in the home, are now facing multiple charges of animal cruelty.

An EMS team first discovered the hoarding conditions during a visit to the home in November. But it wasn’t until a contractor arrived a month later that police and prosecutors learned of the alleged animal abuse.

“I have been here 28 years and that house does not improve. It gets worse,” said neighbor Neil Capolongo. “I’m surprised it’s still around to be honest with you.”

Neighbors said the house has long been an eyesore in this neighborhood.

“It’s been like this for years, years, years, years. We thought it was a hoarder’s house,” said neighbor Stephen Falk. “Even my wife would walk the dog and say, ‘I have a strong urine smell when I walk through the house.'”

Falk’s assessment was confirmed by police, who found the hoarder’s house littered from floor to ceiling with rubbish. All the cats were kept on the second floor, with “26 cats locked in 7 cages,” according to Harrison, who described the cramped conditions.

It was not immediately clear what would happen to all the rescued cats. The arrested father and son are scheduled to appear before a judge on Thursday.

“Oh, I’m heartbroken. Making me feel sick to my stomach. I wish I’d known. I would have said something sooner,” Falk said.