Sharon McDonough
Authorities are investigating whether any of the more than 20 animal carcasses found in the backyard of a Long Island home are the remains of animals reported missing by pet owners in the area.
Dozens of concerned pet owners have contacted authorities following the gruesome discovery, a scene described by one veteran SPCA official as something out of a horror movie.
In addition to the dead animals, five dogs and a cat were found alive, suffering from maltreatment, inside cramped cages in a room of the house, said Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA.
Sharon McDonough, 43, of Selden, was released without bail following her arrest on Saturday on six counts of animal cruelty involving the dogs and cat. An investigation is proceeding into whether any animals found dead in the woman’s backyard had been mistreated; additional charges were possible.
Gross said the SPCA has received “dozens of calls” from pet owners who say their animals went missing in the area. He said the district attorney could file larceny or other charges if the investigation reveals that animals had been stolen.
Prosecutors said McDonough was represented at her arraignment by an attorney from Legal Aid, which has a policy of not commenting on pending cases. She faces up to a year in jail if convicted on the current misdemeanor animal cruelty cases, but could face 2 years in prison if upgraded felony charges are filed, Gross said.
McDonough is due back in court Tuesday.
The dogs and cat found inside McDonough’s home were all legitimately purchased, Gross said.
An SPCA officer for nearly 25 years, Gross said the discovery of the animal carcasses was one of the worst scenes he had ever witnessed.
“This is one I probably will never forget,” Gross said. “It was like watching a horror film unfold in front of us.
“The sickening smell was sometimes overpowering to our officers and the firefighters.”
He confirmed that authorities were alerted to the scene by McDonough’s 21-year-old son, Douglas.
“It was a concentration camp for the animals,” Douglas McDonough told reporters outside his home on Saturday. It was not immediately clear why McDonough had reported his mother to authorities.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
Out with no bail. She better hope I never find her.
She faces only 1-2 years in prison? Are you kidding me?? She murdered 20+ helpless animals, and also put her 6 underage children in danger!
These laws need to be changed! This woman will move on to human beings also.
Faces 1-2 years in jail??? You’ve got to be kidding me!
We are the only voices these poor defenseless animals have. How are we speaking for them when we let someone like this get out of jail ‘free’ ? What about her courageous son? How did we stand up for him? Sad, sad, sad.
I worked 14 years as a physical assessment nurse in our county jail. A mental health evaluaton would have been required before she was released. She obviously has mental health issues. If her son turned her in, what has she done to her own children for one of her own to call the police? It is not okay to prey on the defenseless. Thiis woman needs to be put away for a very long time with mental health treatment.
1 to 2 years in jail and being released without bail is rediculous.
If this woman did what they say, she should be put away for a long time and never be able to own an animal again. The animal abuse laws are way too lax inour country. As a society, we have to start taking animal abuse seiously and come down hard on these sadists that prey on animals. It is a serious crime and should be treated as such.
WHEN IS LYNCHING COMING BACK TO OUR SOCIETY!!!!!! SIGN ME UP!!!! I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This woman should get more than 2 years in prison…. There is something really wrong with her… And what is next? How do we know if she gets out she doesn’t do this again or yet go after children… She is obviously torchering things that are much smaller and defense-less against her. She purposely sought out animals… Isn’t that what pedefiles do? The search out children? She needs to be put away for a very long time…