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A Long Island hoarder was ratted out by her teen daughter who blew the whistle on the deplorable living conditions at the family’s home, leading cops to discover more than 130 cats and dogs inside, police said.
Alena Horbatko, 54, was arrested Monday at her urine-soaked, putrid St. Andrews Lane residence that contained toxic levels of ammonia known to trigger respiratory infections and severe health complications, according to charging documents obtained by Newsday.
The smell of animal waste permeated the home that Horbatko shared with her two daughters, ages 12 and 18.
Horbatko’s oldest daughter told police that “there is so much stuff you can barely walk” and admitted she “developed breathing issues” due to the conditions, according to the charging documents.
The house of horrors was discovered after the teen called 911 out of concern for her younger sister, reporting that conditions in the house were “deplorable” and in “disarray,” a Glen Cove Police Department spokesperson told The Post.
As of Tuesday, 135 cats and two dogs had been pulled from the home, police said.
Officers entering the house had to don protective gear to brave the air, describing the scene as “overwhelming” and noting that “everywhere you look there were cats,” police said, adding that the flea infestation was equally outstanding.
Authorities and SPCA volunteers are scrambling to house the animals in local shelters, an “immense undertaking” that is putting a major strain on city resources.
Law enforcement hope to have the remaining felines removed by Wednesday to beat the dangerous heat.
At least 43 cats are critically ill and in veterinary care.
Horbatko was arraigned in Glen Cove City Court on Tuesday.
She pleaded not guilty to 67 counts of torturing or injuring an animal, two counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, and one count of acting in a manner injurious to a child under 17.
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