A 59-year-old woman found to be living with a houseful of allegedly mistreated animals — some alive, some dead — turned herself in to Hamden police Tuesday for arrest on six counts of animal cruelty.
Hamden’s animal control crew had raided the woman’s Blue Hills Avenue home on Oct. 26 with the help of colleagues from East Haven, North Haven, Cheshire, Southbury, and the state.
They came with a warrant. Once inside, they “were greeted by 2 large rats. After conducting a thorough and comprehensive search, animal control officers seized 26 cats, 6 dogs, 2 caged squirrels and a blind owl. One of the dogs was clinging to life. In addition, animal control officers seized 3 deceased animals, including 2 cats and a woodchuck. Taxidermic animals were found inside of the residence,” according to a release issued Wednesday by Hamden police spokesperson Capt. Ronald Smith.
The woman was ordered held on $5,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 5.