Woodbury veterinarian Linda Pesek has been sentenced to three years’ probation for “torturing and injuring” animals, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly’s office announced on Monday, March 1.
Following Pesek’s arrest in October 2024, approximately 150 animals were removed from Pesek’s property.
The district attorney’s office said Pesek, 76, pleaded guilty in December to torturing and injuring animals and failing to provide adequate sustenance.
Pesek was sentenced to three years’ probation, the surrender of all animals (which happened last year), a 10-year animal ban with spot checks, and approximately $5,000 in restitution to the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the district attorney’s office said.
Pesek’s attorney, Dennis Michael Lemke, said the veterinarian had a 35-year career practicing at various animal hospitals and was still working at one until her arrest. The complaint that led to her arrest originated from an intern who visited her large property in Woodbury to help trap, spay, and neuter the numerous feral cats there. The intern subsequently contacted authorities to check on the animals, Lemke said.
Humane Long Island, a nonprofit focused on protecting animals, helped rescue nearly 100 animals from “the filthiest hoarder house we’ve ever entered,” the organization stated, detailing a revolting interior of wall-to-wall animal cages, garbage, feces, cobwebs, carcasses, and darting rodents.
“Veterinarians take an oath to heal animals, not harm them; however, what we found inside Linda Pesek’s home was one of the most horrific cases of neglect I’ve ever encountered,” John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and executive director of Humane Long Island, said in an email.
“The animals were trapped in filthy, toxic conditions, suffering from untreated infections, overgrown beaks, respiratory distress, and even confined alongside decomposing animals,” Di Leonardo continued. “While no sentence can erase that suffering or bring back the lives lost, this guilty plea and 10-year ban on possessing animals will ensure this charlatan won’t be able to use her veterinary license until she’s in her 80s.”
Ducks, geese, peafowl, songbirds, parrots and a prairie dog were among the many animals rescued by the organization.
“Out of this horror, there is hope,” the organization said, describing how an elderly disabled Amazon parrot named Obie—who has a club foot and crossbeak—now resides peacefully in a sanctuary at the organization.
Humane Long Island expressed gratitude to the Nassau County SPCA and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office for “their commitment to pursuing justice in this deeply disturbing case.” The organization also thanked several groups they worked with to help provide the rescued animals with homes and care, including Animal General of East Norwich, SkyWatch Bird Rescue, Wildlife Rescue Center and STAR Foundation.
“What’s most disturbing is how many people later told us they knew Pesek had been allegedly hoarding animals for decades,” Di Leonardo said. “If you see something, say something—silence enables cruelty.”
Meanwhile, Pesek’s attorney, Lemke, described the ordeal as “a very sad situation,” emphasizing that Pesek’s deep and decades-long love for animals should also be acknowledged.
