Woman With Over 30 Animals Found Dead in West Islip Home: SPCA

WEST ISLIP, NY — A 67-year-old woman was found dead in her West Islip home on Wednesday evening, and more than two dozen animals were rescued from "deplorable" conditions, according to the Suffolk County SPCA.

Police and the SPCA responded to a home on Altmar Avenue at about 6:15 p.m. and discovered the woman, identified as Linda Ruland, along with numerous animals living in their own feces, according to Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross.

Police said the cause of death appears to be non-criminal.

The woman owned another home on Sunrise Highway, also in West Islip, which was also discovered to have animals living in horrible conditions.

While the animals did not appear emaciated, the conditions were still "deplorable," according to Gross.

In total, the SPCA recovered 35 animals — two live dogs, 22 live cats, eight dead cats and three live pigeons.

The smell was so overwhelming that officials entered the home in hazmat suits.

The dogs were given to neighbors, while the remaining cats are currently being evaluated at the local animal shelters. The pigeons were released to a bird rescue group.

Gross believes that Ruland was possibly attempting to take care of all the animals between the two homes on her own.

"It's a very sad situation," he said.

Gross hopes this could become a learning experience for people and advises anyone in a similar situation to call the SPCA at 631-382-7722 for help.

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