L.I. animal abuser owns Elmont home

Faith Ross, who was charged Jan. 14 with animal abuse after police discovered several dead and malnourished animals in her rented home, at 14 Montauk Ave. in Rockville Centre, was recently found to own property in Elmont. The Elmont residence, at 673 Lawrence St., was condemned early last week and investigated by Town of Hempstead Animal Control and Rockville Centre officials last Thursday, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Jeff Kluewer, public relations counsel for the Village of Rockville Centre, said officials from the Rockville Centre Police Department were sent to the Rockville Centre home of Ross, 54, and her daughter, Francesca Maselli, 23, following complaints from neighbors about a foul odor coming from the home. When police arrived, they became concerned about the possibility of a dead body in the house due to the pungent smell, and called Hempstead Animal Control after hearing several dogs barking, Kluewer said.

Police found several dead and malnourished animals in the house, surrounded by large piles of clothing, other home materials and trash, he said. Twenty-four deceased animals were found in various cages, in various stages of decompositions.

“Two dog skeletons were found with muzzles still on the skulls,” Kluewer said, adding that two live cats and 14 live dogs, including six chihuahuas, three dachshunds, a Yorkshire terrier, an English Bulldog, a Shih Tzu and a Boxer, were also found.

Following the investigation, Ross and Maselli were arrested and charged with three felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and 15 related misdemeanors.

After Nassau County police informed Rockville Centre officials last week that Ross owned a property in Elmont, Hempstead Animal Control, escorted by Rockville Centre police, searched the home, which is currently being rented to one tenant. Susie Trenkle-Pokalsky, press secretary the Town of Hempstead, said investigators found 10 birds in the home — one parrot, one cockatoo and eight lovebirds.