ROCKY POINT, Long Island (WABC) — A woman on Long Island is facing criminal charges after authorities say they found hundreds of rats inside her home — some living and some dead.
Investigators say 48-year-old Lori Curley had about 200 domesticated rats both in cages and not in cages throughout the house on Whitewood Drive.
On Tuesday, Eyewitness News spotted packages piling up outside the condemned home, along with a sign that said “This property is protected by highly trained rats.”
Officials say a 3-year-old child believed to be her grandson also lived in the unsanitary conditions for several weeks.
Various animal rescue groups were called in to help and one rescued at least 50 of the rats.
“It makes me sad that the person who started out with the two domestic rats as pets let it get out of hand and probably should have reached out to a local rescue for help, before it got to this level,” said Lisa Jaeger with Jaeger’s Run Animal Rescue.
Curley is now charged with endangering the welfare of a child and animal neglect.
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