Crime & Safety
Bohemia Couple Kept 34 Dogs In Deplorable Conditions: SPCA
Officers in hazmat suits entered the Blake Avenue home, which reeked of urine and had rats, an official said.
BOHEMIA, NY — A Bohemia couple was arrested last week and accused of keeping over 30 dogs in deplorable conditions.
Animal welfare officers responded to the home on Blake Avenue on Friday morning after receiving complaints, according to Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Chief Roy Gross.
Upon stepping to the front of the home, the smell of ammonia from urine was overwhelming, according to Gross. Officers entered the home wearing hazmat suits, gloves and masks. They found at least a dozen rats running around the house and over 34 dogs found living in poor conditions, Gross said.
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Photo credit: Bryan Lopez
The dogs, who were all different mixed breeds, were matted, covered in feces, had overgrown nails and some were possibly sick.
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As a result, the residents of the home, Phillis and Louis VanDyken, were arrested and charged with animal cruelty. The couple faces the possibility of up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine if convicted. The charges could be upgraded, Gross said.
The Islip fire marshal declared the home uninhabited. All the dogs were taken to the local animal shelter and may be put up for adoption.
"The whole situation was very unfortunate for the dogs, but for the people living inside as well," Gross said.
Video credit: Bryan Lopez
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