Animals seized from alleged hoarding case in Mayfield

GLOVERSVILLE — 19 of the dogs, 2 goats, and 2 bunnies are at the Fulton County Regional SPCA. Authorities say the woman who had the animals has a long history of animal hoarding and cruelty complaints.

A sheriff’s investigator delivers some needed crates to the animal shelter, after an influx of dogs this week.

Over the course of two days, rabbits, goats, horses, and some 50 dogs were removed from a property known as Kelly’s Haven on Route 349 in Mayfield.

The property is owned by 71-year-old Sue Kelly. We’re told the home has now been condemned.

Authorities say animals were in filthy conditions, without enough clean water or appropriate shelter.

Susan Kelly has been in the news before. Officials say she has a history of hoarding.

11 years ago, Newschannel 13 was there when more than 300 animals were found in what were called overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

The sheriff says he believes this is more a case of neglect, and not of intentional abuse.

“In 11 years, she hasn’t gotten any younger and she’s gotten a lot of animals that we believe people dropped them off. People just leave them on the side of the road and it’s overwhelming,” said Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino. “She’s in her early 70s now. Not making excuses for her, but the psychology of hoarders is they want to protect the animals, they want to give them a place.”

Those animals went to three shelters, including the Fulton County Regional SPCA, which is now in the process of raising money for a bigger facility. It’s the same place that took in the so-called East Road 10 Shih Tzus just last month.

“The number of animals in this situation is a lot for any sheltering agency, so to have three involved just shows the number of animals that we need to care for in this community,” said Renee Earl with the Fulton County Regional SPCA. “We’re not letting the size of our shelter stop us from being able to help. We’re going to continue to help. It just makes things a little more difficult when you’re dealing with an under 600 square foot facility and you have a lot of animals in the community you need to care for.”

The sheriff says any charges would come after the animals have been examined.

MORE: Fulton County Regional SPCA | James Brennan Memorial Humane Society