DA: 24 Cats Rescued from Westbury Home

A Westbury woman is facing animal cruelty charges after 24 cats in various states of poor health were rescued from her home, authorities said. 

Investigators from Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice’s office, along with village and town officials as well as local animal shelters executed a search warrant Wednesday morning. That’s when Valerie Varnuska, 59, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty under Section 353 of New  York State’s Agriculture and Markets Law.

Varnuska was released to probation and is due back in court July 15, the DA’s office said.

The rescued cats are in the custody of the North Shore Animal League, which is performing physical and behavioral evaluations.  The Town of North Hempstead Animal Control, the Village of Westbury, Animal Lovers League of Glen Cove and Posh Pets Rescue have also partnered with Rice’s office in this case.

The DA’s Animal Crimes Unit spent months reviewing tips trying to find a non-criminal resolution to the case in order to protect the animals, according to a news release issued Wednesday afternoon. But when a non-criminal resolution was determined impossible, authorities executed the search warrant.

“This investigation has rescued two dozen defenseless animals from filthy, dangerous conditions unsuitable for any person or pet,” Rice said. “I’m grateful to our partners in this joint operation, without whom we could not enforce the law and protect these animals.”

The house was deemed unfit for habitation and condemned by Village of Westbury officials, and humane traps were left in the home in case additional animals remain inside.

The rescued cats were in various states of poor physical condition, including many with very poor dental and jaw health, including abscessed teeth.

The home had no electricity and significantly unsanitary and cluttered living conditions, including furniture and garbage bags strewn throughout, feces and urine on floors and walls, and “a powerful stench that required responding officials to wear industrial breathing masks,” according to the news release.