Luanne Abel

Abandoning 15 cats, 2 dogs and 3 birds, 50+ others dead

Port Richmond, Staten Island, NY

March 10, 2003

15 cats 2 dogs and 3 birds were taken out of Abel’s Post Avenue home, which had been abandoned for at least a month, stated Clo Garguilo, president of the Council for Animal Welfare.  Abel was an inactive member of the group for almost 10 years, she had ventured out on a solo animal rescue campaign, according to Garguilo.  Abel had been contacted by the organization about a month ago when she was offered money for supplies.  At that time Abel told the contact that everything was fine.

Two volunteer veterinary technicians for the Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare, wadded through piles of feces in an effort to rescue animals in Abel’s three-story West Brighton home.  The techs found some 50 dead cats and birds.  Many of the starving cats were to frightened to come out even for food

Abel left her home and has been hospitalized for an undisclosed illness.  A next-door neighbor contacted the City Health Department after seeing many cats in the windows and no signs of Abel.  The Health Dept. issued a temporary order to vacate was issued to Abel while the premises are cleaned.  A Health Dept. spokesman did not have any records of previous complaints for Abel’s address.

Animal Advocates described Abel as a woman who often didn’t know when to draw the line when taking in stray animals.

No charges have been filed against Abel at this time.

References:

The New York Daily News

SI Live