. Suffolk Police report that cats taken from a residence in Islip were inhabiting an environment of hoarding.

On Tuesday evening, Suffolk County police declared that officers from its Third Precinct Crime Section had discovered more than two dozen cats residing in unhealthy conditions, with "scant food and no water" in a property in Islip. Consequently, the father and son there were then arrested.

At approximately 7:20 p.m., police reported that Gary Verga, 72, and Daniel Verga, 39, were apprehended at a home on Lake Street. Ten charges against each of them were brought, including the failure to provide proper sustenance and food/drink to an animal and impounded animal, respectively, in keeping with the Agriculture and Markets Law.

They both were directed to make an appearance at the First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday and it was unknown at the moment whether either man had legal representation.

Law enforcement officers went to the house following reports of animal mistreatment, spotting a large number of cats unconfined and detecting a strong smell of ammonia inside. After entering the premises, the group which included members from BEAST, the Fire Marshal, Building Inspector, HAZMAT and Fire Department, confiscated five cages together with two containers having twenty-six cats in total.

The cats were relocated to the Islip Animal Shelter for observation.

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