EAST ELMHURST — A woman who allegedly kept dozens of sick and malnourished cats and dogs in a cramped, urine and feces-covered home was indicted Thursday on multiple counts of aggravated animal cruelty charges, according to the Queens District Attorney.
Elizabeth Grant, 48, was arrested in January after officers from the 115th Precinct visited her home at 25-44 82nd St., which she shares with her elderly mother, according to the DA. Officers were doing a crime prevention visit for the elderly woman because she was the victim of a crime, officials said.
Although they weren't let inside the home on the first visit, officers observed multiple animals inside the house through an open door.
They came back later in the month with members of the ASPCA and were let in by Grant's mother, where they found a cluttered, crumbling home with excessive feces and fur on the floor, officials said.
They found 67 cats and dogs with various health issues, including paralysis, and matted and missing fur.
One dog was so sick it had to be euthanized, officials said.
"Rescue workers stepping inside the dwelling, were overwhelmed by the smell of ammonia and had to wear respirators to breathe, as well as protective clothing," DA Richard Brown said.
"No person or animal should live in such wretched conditions.”
Grant was indicted by a grand jury on multiple counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, torturing or injuring animals and failure to provide food and water to an impounded animal.
She faces up to eight years in prison if convicted, and is due back in court on January 10, 2017.
