Animal Control Discover 50 Pets in Alexandria Home

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - Animal control officersremoved about 50 pets Wednesday from a home on Ramsgate Terrace in Alexandria. The search involved five different types of animals; somewere alive while others were found dead, ABC 7 News reported:

"It's not a 'beware of dog' sign on the front door that tipped off neighbors, but rather the pungent stench. "The trash, the smell, I think that's what people started getting tired of," neighbor Tawny Bottiger told an ABC 7 reporter.. 

After receiving numerous calls, police and animal control investigated, obtained a search warrant and eventually found more than 50 animals inside the Alexandria home of 33-year-old Meghan Barber. The home has been deemed unsafe to live in. "When you have that many animals, that's not pets, that's an obsession," neighbor Harriet Hoben told the station..

The odor was so bad that large industrial fans were used Wednesday night. Police went into the now-condemned home wearing full HazMat suits and masks. They tell us an alarming number of dead animals are inside and an extensive amount of fecal matter is causing a potential environmental contamination. Authorities found 26 dead cats, 24 living cats, 5 dogs, 9 birds, 3 guinea pigs and a rabbit.

Bottiger said, "A lot of animals coming and going and we would hear birds and then not hear birds."  Police say this is definitely a hoarding incident. Bags and bags of Barber's belongings sit on the front porch and carport.

Next door neighbor Dave Kwasnik made the initial call to police.  "When it comes down to a health hazard what she has over here, it's unacceptable," Kwasnik told the station.

He says the rat and raccoon infestation has become a major hazard.  "My son has a small play-pin, we are afraid to let him out in the back yard because we were afraid he was going to get attacked by raccoons or rats."

Neighbors say this has been going on for at least four years.

Barber has been charged with one count of animal cruelty and one count of being an unfit owner. Police say more charges are pending."

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