300 pet rats found in condemned Rocky Point house need new shelter, rescue groups say

Rescue groups are attempting to save more than 300 domesticated rats found in a condemned Rocky Point home.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s BEAST unit, which stands for the Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team, charged a Rocky Point woman last week after investigators said they found 200 domestic rats and a dog that were neglected.

Prosecutors charged Lori Curley, 52, with three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and neglect of an impounded animal after investigators discovered an injured and sick rat and a 15-year-old mixed-breed pit bull in the home, according to court records.

Curley pleaded not guilty during an arraignment last week and was released on her own recognizance. Her Legal Aid attorney could not be reached for comment.

Prosecutors said investigators found a hairless juvenile pet rat, named "Splinter," who was missing an eye and had a severe injury in the other eye. Splinter was being kept in a metal wire crate with four other rats. Investigators also saw about 200 other rats, alive and dead, throughout the house, according to a criminal complaint.

The cage and the home were covered in rat excrement, and the pets did not have access to fresh food or water. Rat food was found scattered through the cage, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the dog, named Coco, also was neglected and confined in the home, surrounded by rats.

The dog had lost weight and had several masses on its body, prosecutors said. It was confined to an area covered in rat excrement and did not have access to food or water.

The home was deemed unfit for human occupancy and condemned by the Town of Brookhaven.

Rescuers from the Strong Island Animal Rescue League were still searching the home on Wednesday to remove additional rats. So far, volunteers had rescued 330 living white rats from the home, said the group’s founder, Frankie Floridia.

Floridia said three rats had to be euthanized due to illness or injuries.

The group said some of the rats were placed in foster homes. It was looking to place the remaining pet rodents up for adoption.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.