Animal remains may have been area pets

SELDEN, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities are investigating whether any of the more than 20 animal carcasses found in the backyard of a Long Island home are the remains of animals reported missing by pet owners in the area.

Dozens of concerned pet owners have contacted authorities following the gruesome discovery, a scene described by one veteran SPCA official as something out of a horror movie.

In addition to the dead animals, five dogs and a cat were found alive, suffering from maltreatment, inside cramped cages in a room of the house, said Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA.

Sharon McDonough, 43, of Selden, was released without bail following her arrest on Saturday on six counts of animal cruelty involving the dogs and cat.