30-Plus Animals Seized From ‘Uninhabitable’ Home: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — Authorities seized more than 30 animals, including cats, dogs, squirrels and an owl, from a home that was deemed uninhabitable Monday in Hamden, according to police.

Members of the Hamden Animal Control Division, with the assistance of animal control units from the State of Connecticut, Cheshire, East Haven, North Haven and Southbury, executed a search-and-seizure warrant at a home on Blue Hills Avenue on Monday morning, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said the warrant was the result of an extensive investigation by the Hamden Animal Control.

“Upon entering the residence, animal control officers were greeted by two large rats,” Smith wrote in a news release. “After conducting a thorough and comprehensive search, officers seized 26 cats, six dogs, two caged squirrels and an owl. One of the dogs was lifeless. In addition, officers seized three deceased animals, including two cats and a woodchuck.”

The animals were taken to the Mount Carmel Veterinary Hospital, North Haven Animal Hospital and Ridgehill Animal Hospital for medical treatment, including vaccinations, according to Smith.

Smith said a necropsy will be conducted on the dead animals. Quinnipiac Valley Heath District officials were at the scene deemed the residence uninhabitable, according to Smith.

Police are continuing the investigation, Smith said.