Starved dogs and cats rescued from a filthy Queens home may have been stolen, cops said – as they released heartbreaking photos as part of a desperate search for the animals’ owners.
The 11 dogs and two cats showing signs of “neglect and malnourishment” were found Monday locked and living in deplorade conditions at the home of Cory Elder, 43, on Beach 44th Street in the Rockaways, cops and sources said.
The NYPD revealed late Tuesday that the animals were “possibly stolen,” as part of a grand larceny pattern including five separate incidents.
One of the dogs was confirmed stolen in the confines of the NYPD’s 75th Precinct, which includes the East New York and Cypress Hills neighborhoods, authorities said.
Police released new pictures of the poor animals, including snaps of two pooches with their rib cages visible.
The initial photos, posted on the NYPD’s Twitter account Monday, show one dog locked inside a cage next to what appears to be a puddle of urine and assorted trash, and another pooch also in a cage surrounded by tufts of fur.
Investigators also found heroin, fentanyl, and stolen tools as well as DJ equipment inside the home, cops said.
Elder was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, torturing, injuring or not feeding an animal, criminal possession of stolen property, neglect of an impounded animal and aggravated unlicensed operator of a motor vehicle, police said.
All of the animals were taken to the ASPCA for evaluations, the organization told The Post Tuesday.
“Many of the animals were underweight, dehydrated and had dirty hair coats,” a spokesperson in a statement. “The animals were immediately transported to the ASPCA’s care, where veterinary and behavior experts are conducting forensic exams and providing them with much-needed medical care and behavioral treatment and enrichment.”