Queens woman indicted on charges of animal cruelty involving 67 animals

A Queens grand jury indicted a woman on animal cruelty charges after she allegedly housed 67 animals in “deplorable” conditions, the district attorney said.

Elizabeth Grant, 48, 25-44 82nd St. in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens was arraigned on Thursday on a 138-count indictment charging her with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 66 counts of overdriving, torturing or injuring an animal and 66 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal.

If convicted, Grant faces up to two years on each of the four felony counts.

A crime prevention officer visited Grant’s mother on Jan. 6, who was an elderly victim of a crime. The door was open and the officer saw “filthy” conditions and a multitude of animals. The officer returned and members of the ASPCA removed 55 cats, 12 dogs and two turtles from Grant’s home.

“The defendant is accused of permitting her numerous pets to live in deplorable conditions,” District Attorney Richard A. Brown said. “The home’s floor and furnishings were allegedly covered in feces, fur and urine.

“Rescue workers stepping inside the dwelling, were overwhelmed by the smell of ammonia and had to wear respirators to breathe, as well as protective clothing. No person or animal should live in such wretched conditions.”

A licensed veterinarian and supervisor of the ASPCA’s Forensic Sciences unit examined the 67 cats and dogs and found many with dental diseases, ear mites, respiratory infections and other painful ailments, the Queens D.A. said.

One of the dogs rescued from the fly-infested home, Dorothy, was euthanized due to her poor condition. Dorothy was vomiting and had diarrhea related to chronic kidney and liver disease, the D.A. said. Her coat was matted with feces, she had severe dental disease and a chronic illness associated with her digestive system.

Grant is due back in court on Jan. 10, 2017.