 | 'The surviving animals will be euthanized.' |
DU BOIS, PA (AP)- A local woman known only as Nanny to her neighbors was charged Thursday with animal neglect and abuse after authorities raided her home and found close to a dozen animals, dressed in childrens clothing, living in conditions witnesses described as deplorable.
Animal control officers were summoned after receiving numerous complaints about a foul odor emanating from the residence. Upon arriving, officers were forced to wear respirators to avoid being overcome by the stench.
The smell was unimaginable, said animal control officer Betsy Leto, who was first on the scene. I rang the bell, and up walked this elderly woman wearing nothing but a skirt, green stripped socks and a pair of sneakers. As soon as she cracked the door the stink hit me and I about lost it.
Added Leto, There was garbage and fecal matter everywhere you stepped. It was a house of filth.
Once inside, officers found all of the animals locked in a single room with no floor drains or running water. According to officers, the room appeared to be decorated as if it were a childs nursery, complete with toys, cribs, and even childrens books.
She really thought these things were her children, said Amanda Hohmann, a psychologist who was called in to evaluate the mental state of the homes owner. She kept referring to them as her babies, and from the looks of it she may have been attempting to breastfeed. Its a very sad case.
All of the animals were severely malnourished. Some were found to have parasites and oozing wounds, while others were already dead. Eyewitness accounts of the raid describe animal control officers removing numerous species from the home, including a dog, a frog, and various other creatures that were so caked in their own feces that they could not be easily identified.
Despite the wide variety of animals, the owner apparently allowed all of them to mingle freely amongst one another, a decision that led to a particularly gruesome scene for investigators who found a small bear gnawing on the remains of an animal that could only be described as a blue weirdo.
 | 'Go bye-bye!' |
You cant have these animals living together like this without cages, especially if youre not going to feed them properly, said Humane Society spokesman Luke Hanish. I mean, a bear and a pig? How the hell is that going to work?
Hanish noted that all of the surviving animals are likely to be euthanized.
The raid came as no surprise to many nearby residents, who complained that the city did not act fast enough in dealing with the situation. Next-door neighbor and retired police officer Frank Caruthers says that he has been complaining to the city for years, but to no avail.
This stuff has been going on since the mid-eighties, Caruthers said. She must have been an exotic pet dealer or something, cause some of those things looked almost human. I know it sounds crazy, but once while I was watering my lawn, I heard this animal yell go bye-bye in perfect English!
Added Caruthers, Ill sleep better knowing theyre dead.
 | '...caked in their own feces...' |
If convicted, the homes owner could face up to a year in prison and $50,000 in fines. The womans court-appointed attorney Timothy Nelson says that his client suffers from a well-documented mental disorder known as Pet Hoarding, and that she will be mounting an insanity defense.
Lets look at the facts, Nelson said. This poor old woman is dressing animals in diapers, encouraging them to read books, and trying to get them to sing songs. Is there any doubt that my client is insane? When the facts are made known to the jury, it will be an open and shut case.
The woman is due in court this Friday.
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