Thirty cats, including five young, were found in conditions of apparent abandonment to the side of the Southern State Parkwayone of the main highways of Long Island. The discovery, which was made by teenagers who circulated by bicycle in the area, mobilized animal protective organizations and motivated the beginning of a criminal investigation by possible animal cruelty.
The animals were locked in cages and transporterswithout visible access to water or food. The containers were completely empty, and the cats, although domesticated, They showed signs of having been careless. Before the scene, local rescuers expressed their dismay. “I wanted to cry, actually,” he said Linda Cairovoluntary specialized in feline rescue, to the channel CBS News. “It’s frightening to find them like this. They couldn’t leave. It’s like being in prison,” he added.
Felines were transferred to Oyster Bay animals shelterwhere they are being evaluated by veterinarians, but an unexpected turn occurred just a day later: A man appeared before the authorities and said that the cats were of his propertydenying that they would have been abandoned.
The man, identified as Thomas McDermott28, described as Independent worker in maintenance tasks and currently homeless Due to family conflicts. In dialogue with CBS News New YorkHe explained that he has been living outdoors for a week with his cats and that he visits the place every day to feed them and give them water.
“I love you. They are my cats. I have been taking care of them for years and I do everything possible to keep them well,” he said. “I spend a lot of money on them, up to 20 dollars in food every two days,” he said, while recounting how a situation that began with two rescued cats was growing uncontrollably.
The finding of animals, which seemed to have been left to their fate, motivated concern among activists for animal welfare. “I was horrified with what I found. I don’t know how someone can do something like that,” he said John Debackerof Long Island Cat and Kitten Solutionsan organization that participated in the rescue.
The prosecutor of NASSAU COUNT, Anne Donnellyannounced the opening of a criminal investigation for alleged animal abuse. As explained to CBS News, It is not acceptable that about thirty cats live in outdoor cageswithout protection against the inclement weather and in direct contact with the mud.
“They were not covered. If it rained, the water fell directly on them,” Donnelly said. “They were apparently sitting on wet mud,” he added. Despite the statements of the alleged owner, the prosecutor was clear in which it will be evaluated if there was punishable conduct.
Cats will remain in custody of the shelter until the legal process progresses. For nowthey cannot be offered for adoption or returned to their alleged ownersince they are part of the evidence gathered in the case.
McDermott’s social and economic situation was also under analysis. He Supervisor of the municipality of Oyster Bay, Joseph Saladinohe said that the young man does not have the means to provide adequate attention to such a high amount of animals. “You don’t have the funds to keep yourself, much less to take care of 30 cats,” he said, cited by CBS News.
Both Saladino and prosecutor Donnelly underlined that there are mechanisms and resources in the animal protection system for people who are exceeded. “There are places where you can take animals if you can no longer take care of them. Do not leave them on the side of the road,” Donnelly warned.
Asked about the future of animals, McDermott said they are willing to be delivered to homes where they can receive attention. He also pointed out that, if he no longer has to take care of the cats, You can access a homeless sheltera possibility that until now was forbidden for not being able to enter with animals.
However, the county prosecutor warned that, in case formal charges for abuse, McDermott will definitely lose the custody of animals. “If there are criminal charges, the owner will not recover the cats,” Donnelly concluded, according to statements collected by CBS News New York.
Felines will remain under veterinary observation in Oyster Bay while defining their legal destiny. History has generated a public debate in the region on the boundaries between love for animals and the real ability to provide them with a dignified life.
