Animal cruelty investigation continues on massive Westport property
By Bianca Buono
@BBuonoABC6
Investigators in Westport are still combing through the massive property where more than a thousand animals were found living in deplorable conditions over a week ago.
We’re now learning that the remaining animals on the property will be removed this weekend.
"Every time we turn a corner there’s another set of animals that you find and it’s overwhelming,” said Detective Robert Rebello of the Westport Police Department.
Dozens of the sick and injured animals already had to be put down. Others were taken away for treatment. Now, the remaining 900 are leaving the property as well; but the moving process is no easy job.
"There’s not only a huge number of animals it’s multiple species of animals and multiple conditions,” said Tim Rickey of the ASPCA.
ASPCA is bringing in tractor-trailers all the way from Missouri to haul the animals to a brand new temporary shelter being built specifically for the animals from the property.
"That itself has been a huge undertaking but there really just was no other option,” said Rickey.
Throughout the past several days, more than 50 volunteers from across the nation worked together to save the animals that are left.
"We have a team of veterinarians just providing whatever medical care is necessary,” Rickey said.
But the massive investigation is nowhere near complete. On Thursday, the Westport Police Department obtained a second search warrant and will start looking underground once the animals are moved.
"We had gotten information that there was the remains of dozens of animals in the ground. That’s based on statements and those statements were confirmed with our own observations,” said Detective Jeff Majewski of the Westport Police Department.
"The magnitude of this case is significant,” said Rickey.
ABC6 did reach out to Westport’s Board of Health which inspected the property back in January and found no violations. They declined to go on camera.
So far no charges have been filed but the Attorney General will be prosecuting the case.
© WLNE-TV 2016
