It was impossible not to know about the dozens of animals that lived in the home, according to John Stramaglia, a veterinarian and longtime neighbor of the property. The incessant barking was coming from the house and the animals were always escaping and running through the neighborhood, he said.
Fairfield Animal Control officers investigated the property last month after a citizen found a dog roaming the area. The dog was reportedly covered in feces and urine, Fairfield Police Lt. Michael Paris said in a news release Monday.
Animal Control removed 47 pets, 25 dogs and 22 cats, found “living in poor conditions inside the home,” according to Paris. The city’s health department also deemed the property uninhabitable.
Authorities said animal control officers had previously issued violations for 31 counts of failure to vaccinate against rabies and 10 counts of failure to license the dogs on May 14, 2021. Animal Control conducted several follow-up visits to ensure the animal health and case. it was removed after the owner showed proof of vaccinations and licenses to the court, authorities said.
Stramaglia said he and other neighbors had contacted the town and Animal Control about the house in recent years.
“The responsibility was put on us as neighbors,” he said. “They (the people) made it impossible for us.”
“It ruined our quality of life,” he added.
The neighbors also presented an official blight complaint with the city regarding the property. A hearing is scheduled for later this month to determine whether the property violates the city’s Prevention of Blight Ordinance, Stramaglia said.
Hearst Connecticut Media Group has filed a public records request with the city over the allegation of blight.
Officials said the city received four complaints about dog barking in 2020, but noted only one of those resulted in a warning. They said there were also complaints filed that year about cars illegally parked on the road next to the property. In one case, officials said there were no illegally parked cars, and in the second case, the cars were moved into the driveway before they could be towed away, officials said.
State business records show the house is the licensed address of Super Paws Rescue Inc., which provides pet care, excluding veterinary services. The company was formed in February 2015.
Authorities said property owners can perform an animal rescue in a residential home without state oversight. City officials said the business would only be subject to state inspections if it were a physical operation.
Near the property on Tuesday, cats could still be seen roaming nearby. Stramaglia noticed that some cats live in the woods around the house.
On Tuesday, a sign was posted on the front door of the house saying the property was “unfit for human habitation.”
“It cannot be reoccupied without permission from the director of health,” the sign said.
However, it appeared people were still living there on Tuesday when they declined to comment on the seizure of the animals.
“In general, when the health department declares a home unfit for habitation, it is generally associated with uncleanliness or unsanitary conditions, and in most cases, we direct them to clean and sanitize the interior of the home.” said the director of the Fairfield Health Department. Sands Cleary said when asked if residents were allowed to stay in the house.