Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA charged a Ronkonkoma woman with animal cruelty for neglecting to maintain a sanitary environment for her 49 animals.

Around noon on April 2, members of the Suffolk County SPCA and the Suffolk County Police Department executed a search warrant on Linda Hart’s residence following a complaint about the living conditions causing the animals’ distress.

“We originally thought there were only a few dogs in there, but once we made entry and saw how many animals were in there, we had to get additional help to deal with the situation,” explained Roy Gross, chief of department for Suffolk County SPCA.

Forty-nine animals were found in the residence including one cat, parrots, and many dogs. According to Gross, all of the dogs and birds were in cages, and every room in the house had cages with animals, including the bathroom. The dogs were severely matted, covered in feces, and soaked in urine. The flea-infested animals were plagued by thousands of maggots, shared Gross.

“I am going on 40 years doing this now, and I will say this is one of the worst of this type of hoarder situation,” explained Gross. “We have had others, but this one was right up there at the top for the worst condition of the home, and the way these animals were kept.”

The Islip Hazmat Unit, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, Islip Animal Control, Islip building inspector, Islip fire marshal, and Lakeland Fire Department all assisted the SPCA, working from noon to nighttime in the malodorous environment. With all the agencies working together to bring the animals to safety, the animals were safely removed.

The conditions inside were so unsanitary and dangerous that the town placarded the residence as uninhabitable.

Gross shared that detectives charged 79-year-old Hart with 49 counts of animal cruelty, which are misdemeanors. The charges carry a penalty of up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. She is to appear in First District Court in Central Islip, at 9 a.m. on April 22.

The Town of Islip Animal Shelter took in 22 dogs from the hoarding house, while private rescue groups took in the remainder of the animals. The trained staff of the shelter began their rehabilitation by bathing, evaluating, and treating the dogs.

To help fund the rehabilitation of the dogs, the Town of Islip Animal Shelter is accepting donations in order to assist in their care. Items needed include blankets, towels, and dry and canned dog food, preferably Purina regular-size food. All donations can be left in the drop-off bin located outside of the animal shelter at 200 S. Technology Drive, Central Islip, 11722. Checks are also being accepted. Please make checks out to: Town of Islip.