A 45-year-old woman from the Ocean Hill section of Brooklyn is facing animal charges after dozens of animals were removed from her home. The case came to light on Wednesday, when the ASPCA helped clear the animals from the property. The discovery left neighbors and animal welfare workers describing distressing conditions inside.
According to police, the animals were taken from a home on Herkimer Street. The ASPCA shared photos after helping remove 21 dogs, four cats and a pigeon from inside the house. The sheer number of animals packed into the home pointed to how severe the situation had become.
A dead puppy was also found inside the home, according to the agency. The ASPCA said many of the animals had been kept in crates and were found covered in urine, feces and fleas. The conditions described by the agency underscored the neglect that investigators say the animals had endured.
Police charged the woman, identified as 45-year-old Jessica Stiles, with aggravated cruelty to animals. The charge reflects the most serious level of animal cruelty allegation and came after the animals were taken into the ASPCA's care. The case remained active as authorities pressed forward.
Her husband, who did not want to appear on camera, offered a different account to News 12. He said his wife loves animals and denied that she had abused them. His comments stood as the family's response to the charges as the case drew attention on the block.
Neighbors said the situation had affected the entire block, including a nearby school. They described a persistent and terrible smell coming from the home and said it had been a difficult thing to live alongside. For them, the removal of the animals brought some relief after a long period of complaints.
The ASPCA said the animals are now receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation. After being taken from the home, they were placed in the agency's care to recover from their ordeal. The work to nurse them back to health was beginning even as the legal case against the homeowner moved ahead.