Gators, Skunks and Tortoises Among 245 Seized Animals

Pennsylvania officials called it one of the worst cases of animal hoarding they've seen
By Josh Gardner,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 20, 2018 1:30 PM CDT
Gators, Skunks and Tortoises Among 245 Seized Animals
Officials take out two large tortoises Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 from an Upper Hanover, Pa., home.   (Rick Kintzel/The Morning Call via AP)

Hundreds of exotic animals were taken from two Pennsylvania homes in what officials there are calling one of the worst cases of animal hoarding they've seen. Per CBS Philadelphia, 245 pets were seized Thursday from a home in Montgomery County. Authorities say the animals included snakes, ferrets, skunks, tortoises, guinea pigs, birds, dogs, cats and turtles, among others. Many of the animals "in various stages of neglect" were reportedly in cages and tubs that were stacked atop one another in the home.

Per WPVI, the raid was the second in the area following an earlier operation in Lehigh County at a residence officials say is connected to the same two suspects who occupied the home in the most recent raid. All told, the two homes contained over 300 animals. One of the suspects reportedly told officials the animals were his pets. However, an investigation remains ongoing and charges ranging from citations to felonies could be filed. (As with so many of these cases, officials reported the stench in the residences was overwhelming.)

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