Animal Control Officer is an Animal Hoarder

A animal hoarding situation is taking place in the town of Pompey, New York, which is in the Syracuse area. WSYR reported the story September 30. A video can be seen here (update 21st Oct 2016 – link broken – sorry).
Unfortunately, this tragedy involves an animal control officer, Susan Snavlin, who is believed to be around 61 years old. She has been an Animal Control Officer for the Town of Pompey since 2003, and was paid $4,400 a year for performing that job. Snavlin has resigned her position after being charged Monday with more than 150 counts of animal cruelty after more than 200 dogs and 50 cats were found at her dairy farm home on Tully Farms Road.
Central New York SPCA (CNY SPCA) Chief Investigator and Executive Director Paul Morgan said investigators went to the home after a tip came in on Monday. Someone had recently seen a large number of dogs on the property, but didn’t have an address. That person obtained the address, and reported it to the SPCA.
A total of 73 animals were removed from the property on Monday, where the SPCA staff continued removing animals until dark. Monday’s removal was mostly small dogs, unsocialized and covered in urine and feces. Then another 150 to 200 were removed on Tuesday. All of the animals are said to have been living in deplorable conditions. It will take a few days for a veterinarian to examine each cat and dog for health problems.
The seized animals were taken to the CNY SPCA, who posted an update Tuesday evening on their Facebook page, along with the notice they’ll be closed Tuesday and Wednesday to care for the seized animals. The CNY SPCA is also in need of donations for these animals.
“If you’ve been watching the news you know that we are caring for over 200 more animals. This large volume requires more of items such as: bleach, laundry soap, blankets and towels. If you happen to have a chance to drop any of these off (and you can leave them outside the front door, we’ll bring them in) it would be most welcomed.”
They’re also in need of playpens to hold some of the puppies in their care. If you can’t help locally, donations can be made at the CNY SPCA website. Several dozen donations have already been dropped off to help care for the animals.
According to an interview with Syracuse News, Pompey Town Supervisor Carole Marsh believes Snavlin had good intentions and just got in over her head. Marsh did say she visited the animals Tuesday and they all appeared to be well fed.
“I really think she had a very big heart, and she just didn’t ask for help. I know how she loves animals, and I think it just got too much for her.”.
This isn’t a case where a person just kept a lot of animals. The Pompey Town Supervisor says Snavlin was inspected on March 19 by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and passed inspection. It’s unknown whether this was a special inspection, or a routine inspection. Whatever happened to create such poor conditions has happened over the past six months.
Marsh has spoken to Snavlin, who says “she was sorry and she felt very bad.” Snavlin doesn’t wish to go on camera or be interviewed.
Marsh went on to add most of the animals will be available for adoption in the near future.