4cruisin
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http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060519/NEWS05/105190249
I don't think I'd want to shower with "Puffy:.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Girl, 8, removed from Farmington home full of animals
By ADAM D. KRAUSS
Democrat Staff Writer
akrauss@fosters.com
FARMINGTON Puffy, the 5-year-old grown alligator that bathed in the family's only bathtub, was not vicious but tame, a "pet store mascot" before joining hundreds of other reptiles, rodents and pets at the Water Street home of Dorina and Harold Roy.
Puffy, just over 5-feet-long, was voluntarily removed Wednesday along with two other alligators, two yellow anacondas, eight different types of boa constrictors including one that was up to 14-feet-long nine python snakes, various exotic lizards, geckos, frogs, 200 rats and mice, hamsters, three dogs, four or five cats, ferrets and much more. There were close to 100 reptiles.
The longtime residents were able to keep one of their dogs. They have temporarily lost custody of their 8-year-old daughter to the state Division of Children, Youth and Family after police, working on a tip, deemed the premises to be unsanitary. The Roys, who are staying at a hotel at the town's expense, can get their daughter back as soon as the home is cleaned, which police say will take some time.
The smell of fecal matters and urine inside the home forced police, enforcement and health officials at the home to rub Vic's Vapor Rub an old "cop's trick" under their noses. There were around 20 rat cages and dozens of large and small aquariums.
"I went in and was able to stay in there probably about two minutes and had to come out," Police Chief Scott Roberge said. "(The smell) was so, so, so, so strong." Lt. Kevin Willey was also on scene. "I don't know if the best description to describe it would be indescribable," he said.
Roberge said the town was not aware what was inside the home as the numbers of animals grew to astronomical proportions over the years. He said none of the animals were illegal to possess and animal cruelty charges are not coming at this point. All of the animals were said to be in good conditions, police said.
"There are no real charges that we can press," Roberge said, adding DCYF is "looking at the issue of the child." DCYF could not comment on the case this morning. Spokesman Greg Moore said children are returned home when DCYF determines they will be in a "safe and stable" environment.
The warm-blooded animals were taken to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover and the reptiles were taken to New England Reptile Distributors in Plaistow.
Dorina Roy said the family including the young girl and an 18-year-old man staying with friends were never harmed by the pets. She said the number of reptiles and pets grew as her husband grew more attached. Police said the family began sparing some of the rats intended as food when they grew fond of them.
"My husband just really relates to reptiles really well, and he thought he was helping them," Roy said. 'My husband was not doing this to be mean or cruel. We're not hoarders. It wasn't done intentionally. It just happened."
Roy said the town knew they kept a number of "pets and stuff" but were not aware of how many. She had a message for anyone who may get the wrong impression:
"We're not circus freaks and we don't want to be treated like that. Anyone who knows us will tell you that. People that don't have reptiles don't understand that their creatures, too, and have to live. They're God's creatures, too, and that have a right to live."
Roy added, "We're not bad people. We're misunderstood." She equated their love for animals to other people's enjoyment of sports and boating. She said they are working to clean the house so they can get their daughter back. Roy said neighbors "knew what was going on."
A neighbor who asked not to be identified said he heard rumors the family "had some creatures in the house with them."
I don't think I'd want to shower with "Puffy:.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Girl, 8, removed from Farmington home full of animals
By ADAM D. KRAUSS
Democrat Staff Writer
akrauss@fosters.com
FARMINGTON Puffy, the 5-year-old grown alligator that bathed in the family's only bathtub, was not vicious but tame, a "pet store mascot" before joining hundreds of other reptiles, rodents and pets at the Water Street home of Dorina and Harold Roy.
Puffy, just over 5-feet-long, was voluntarily removed Wednesday along with two other alligators, two yellow anacondas, eight different types of boa constrictors including one that was up to 14-feet-long nine python snakes, various exotic lizards, geckos, frogs, 200 rats and mice, hamsters, three dogs, four or five cats, ferrets and much more. There were close to 100 reptiles.
The longtime residents were able to keep one of their dogs. They have temporarily lost custody of their 8-year-old daughter to the state Division of Children, Youth and Family after police, working on a tip, deemed the premises to be unsanitary. The Roys, who are staying at a hotel at the town's expense, can get their daughter back as soon as the home is cleaned, which police say will take some time.
The smell of fecal matters and urine inside the home forced police, enforcement and health officials at the home to rub Vic's Vapor Rub an old "cop's trick" under their noses. There were around 20 rat cages and dozens of large and small aquariums.
"I went in and was able to stay in there probably about two minutes and had to come out," Police Chief Scott Roberge said. "(The smell) was so, so, so, so strong." Lt. Kevin Willey was also on scene. "I don't know if the best description to describe it would be indescribable," he said.
Roberge said the town was not aware what was inside the home as the numbers of animals grew to astronomical proportions over the years. He said none of the animals were illegal to possess and animal cruelty charges are not coming at this point. All of the animals were said to be in good conditions, police said.
"There are no real charges that we can press," Roberge said, adding DCYF is "looking at the issue of the child." DCYF could not comment on the case this morning. Spokesman Greg Moore said children are returned home when DCYF determines they will be in a "safe and stable" environment.
The warm-blooded animals were taken to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover and the reptiles were taken to New England Reptile Distributors in Plaistow.
Dorina Roy said the family including the young girl and an 18-year-old man staying with friends were never harmed by the pets. She said the number of reptiles and pets grew as her husband grew more attached. Police said the family began sparing some of the rats intended as food when they grew fond of them.
"My husband just really relates to reptiles really well, and he thought he was helping them," Roy said. 'My husband was not doing this to be mean or cruel. We're not hoarders. It wasn't done intentionally. It just happened."
Roy said the town knew they kept a number of "pets and stuff" but were not aware of how many. She had a message for anyone who may get the wrong impression:
"We're not circus freaks and we don't want to be treated like that. Anyone who knows us will tell you that. People that don't have reptiles don't understand that their creatures, too, and have to live. They're God's creatures, too, and that have a right to live."
Roy added, "We're not bad people. We're misunderstood." She equated their love for animals to other people's enjoyment of sports and boating. She said they are working to clean the house so they can get their daughter back. Roy said neighbors "knew what was going on."
A neighbor who asked not to be identified said he heard rumors the family "had some creatures in the house with them."
