NYC hoarder kept 11 starving dogs, 2 cats locked in filthy apartment stuffed with DJ equipment and drugs: cops

Amanda Woods
·2 min read
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dogs rescued from hoarder's home
dogs rescued from hoarder's home

A Queens man kept 11 starving dogs and two cats locked in “deplorable conditions” in his filthy home – that was stuffed with DJ equipment, drugs and stolen tools, cops said.

Cory Elder, 43, was nabbed around 6 a.m. Monday when the NYPD searched his home on Beach 44th Street in the Rockaways and found the emaciated animals – including at least one German Shepherd – showing signs of “neglect and malnourishment,” authorities and sources said.

Cory Elder, 43, was nabbed Monday after cops found 11 dogs and two cats living in filth inside his home, police said. NYPD
Cory Elder, 43, was nabbed Monday after cops found 11 dogs and two cats living in filth inside his home, police said. NYPD
One dog could be seen inside a crate next to what appears to be a puddle of urine and assorted trash. NYPD
One dog could be seen inside a crate next to what appears to be a puddle of urine and assorted trash. NYPD

Heartbreaking photos released by the NYPD later 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.

Another pooch could be seen inside a cage surrounded by tufts of fur. NYPD
Another pooch could be seen inside a cage surrounded by tufts of fur. NYPD
All of the dogs were taken into the care of the ASPCA. NYPD
All of the dogs were taken into the care of the ASPCA. NYPD

His arraignment was pending Tuesday.

All of the animals were taken to the ASPCA for evaluations, according to the spokesperson.

“Many of the animals were underweight, dehydrated and had dirty hair coats,” the spokesperson said. “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.”