By Ana Borruto
Hundreds of birds, more than 100 turtles, many lizards, skunks and a tortoise are just some of the animals that authorities removed from a Bellmore home on Tuesday, officials said.
Nassau County Police blocked off Ocean Avenue while the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation conducted the investigation, which drew onlookers.
Officers were seen putting animals into cages, where they were examined and tagged, then placed in trucks to be taken away. One large truck on the scene was used for up to 300 birds found, said Brendan Brosh, a spokesman for the Nassau County District Attorney. The most dangerous animal found in the home was an alligator turtle, which was put in the back of another vehicle.
The Bellmore home was previously raided last August, when hundreds of animals were found, including a 200-pound snapping turtle and a 4-foot alligator. At that time, the owner was ordered to clean up the home within 24 hours or face arrest and charges for animal neglect. But the owner was allowed to keep most of the animals.
Brosh said the latest raid had begun at 10 a.m. Tuesday and lasted throughout the day. He added that the resident of the home was not arrested. The investigation is continuing.
