Suffolk SPCA Charges Bayport Woman for Keeping 14 Cats, 2 Dogs in Deplorable Conditions
Detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA charged a Bayport woman with animal cruelty by failing to maintain a habitable living environment for her fourteen cats and two dogs and allowing them to live in squalor.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said that its detectives charged Laura Nordstrom, 57, with multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, alleging that Nordstrom failed to provide a habitable living environment for the cats and dogs living in her home. Assisted by the Suffolk County Police Department and Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, SPCA detectives executed a search warrant at the home and fourteen cats and two dogs were recovered from the residence, many of which were underweight, dehydrated and covered in urine.
The lack of habitability was evidenced by the extensive amount of urine, feces, mold and mildew strewn about the home, and the air quality inside the home where the animals were found was so poor and punctuated by the smell of ammonia that investigators had difficulty breathing in that environment. Staff from the non-profit Paws Unite People assisted with the rescue.
Nordstrom was arrested on November 6, 2023, and released. She is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip, on November 24, 2023.
Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.