Text size: increase text sizedecrease text size

Court papers: East Northport woman rescued animals

Far from being a heartless animal abuser out to make a fast buck, an East Northport woman suspected of illegally breeding dogs says in court documents expected to be filed Wednesday that she ran an honest animal rescue service "without any profit or gain."

In a sworn affidavit provided by her attorney, Irene Monroig, 66, asks a state Supreme Court justice to issue a temporary restraining order barring the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from spaying, neutering, placing for adoption or euthanizing 56 small dogs, a blue front Amazon parrot and two baby squirrels seized from Monroig's home on May 6.

The legal action, according to Monroig's attorney, shows that rather than being an irresponsible dog handler, as prosecutors and the animal welfare agency contend, Monroig is concerned for their well being.

"She loves them very much," said Eric Naiburg, of Central Islip, who said his client welcomed the chance for her dogs to be examined.

Last Tuesday, Huntington Town inspectors, Suffolk police and SPCA officers removed 56 dogs -- mostly small breeds -- and a parrot from Monroig's Wicks Road home after gaining permission from her to enter the house, they said. The dogs, many with matted fur and parasites, lived in cramped, filthy conditions with moldy food and feces, SPCA officials said. The seizure came after neighbors complained, officials said.

Suffolk prosecutors are awaiting a review of the animals' health to decide how they will proceed. Monroig has not been criminally charged.

But in the affidavit, Monroig says she was not shown a warrant authorizing officials to enter her home and remove the animals. And she defends herself as a selfless animal lover whose work was known to the town and her neighbors.

"My possession of the aforesaid dogs was not part of a 'puppy mill,' " Monroig says in the affidavit, "but was an animal rescue endeavor which I have been engaged in at this same location for more than 45 years."

But Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said, "The conditions were deplorable enough that the house was condemned by the town. If that's a person who loved animals, there is something seriously wrong."

Related topic galleries: East Northport, Animals, Northport, Suffolk County (New York), Justice System, Court Administration, Central Islip

Get breaking news | Most popular stories | Dining and Travel deals all via e-mail!

Things to do

Cheap eats for summer

4 affordable spots with good food

More Cheap Eats | Best of LI dining

GET THIS WIDGET
ExploreTV: Bowling across LI

Hit the lanes with host Meredith Daniels for live music, martinis and bowling, of course.

GET THIS WIDGET

Special Projects

The Katie Trebing story The fight for civil rights

Local leaders, then and now, reflect on doing their part to push for equality.

The Katie Trebing story The Katie Trebing story

A daughter with a deadly disease, an extraordinary chance to save her...create the perfect sibling.

They Failed to Act They Failed to Act

Since 1995, the Long Island Rail Road has logged nearly 900 gap incidents at stations from Penn to Bridgehampton.

Born to Serve Born to Serve

Michael P. Murphy's actions in June, 2005 earned him, posthumously, the nation's highest military award.

Coram station Fire Alarm

The only comprehensive look at the last large public service on Long Island impervious to outside scrutiny - the fire system.

Coram station Remembering Flight 800

On the beach at Smith Point County Park is a monument with the names of the 230 passengers and crew from Flight 800.

Our Fallen Our Fallen

Soldiers from Long Island killed in uniform reflect the face of our communities. Newsday remembers their sacrifice.


Newsday's Vlog

Long Island video blog

Watch Newsday-produced videos and share your thoughts on the topics at hand.

Impact of high gas prices

With record fuel prices on LI, drivers and businesses try to cope as best they can.
Share your story.
Find cheap gas

My Long Island

Long Island user photos Your life in photos

Your faces. Your cameras. Your life. Upload your photos now.