Rescued and ready

Most of the dogs discovered in the home of a still unnamed employee of a Baldwin Waldbaum’s last month have been deemed ready for adoption.

Fourteen of the 17 severely neglected dogs recovered from the home, on Clinton Avenue in Rockville Centre, are ready for new residences and new owners, Susan Trenkle-Pokalsky, a Town of Hempstead spokeswoman, said last week. The dogs were discovered living in filth, without even the most basic care, when employees of the Waldbaum’s on Atlantic Avenue requested a well-being check on the woman by Rockville Center police. According to Police Commissioner Charles Gennario, the woman’s coworkers grew concerned when she did not show up at her job for several days.

Arriving at the home on Jan. 12, police officers encountered a disoriented resident and a large number of endangered animals. Police had to use a backhoe to remove enough debris from the entrance way to enter the home and remove the woman and her pets.

“These wonderful dogs with resilient spirits are much healthier and happier thanks to the true compassion and care of the animal shelter staff,” said Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray. Trenkle-Pokalsky added that two of the dogs recovered from the house had already found new families.

Among the animals ready for new homes are 12 cocker spaniels, a black Labrador and a papillon. “Anyone interested in adopting these wonderful pets can call the animal shelter [in Wantagh] at (516) 785-5220,” Murray said in a press release. A female cocker spaniel was not ready for adoption because she gave birth to four puppies last week.

The 62-year-old occupant of the house was taken to Mercy Medical Center for medical and psychological evaluations. She was not charged with animal cruelty or neglect because of her infirmities. Due to privacy concerns, the hospital has released no updates on her condition.

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