87 animals pulled from New Port Richey home

NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - Dozens of animals were pulled from a Pasco County home Wednesday and officials hope to find homes for as many of them as possible.

Pasco County Animal Services says 87 animals -- 41 small breed dogs and puppies, along with 46 cats and kittens -- were taken from a home on Teak Street Tuesday.

"There was fecal matter on the floors, the urine smell, the ammonia smell was the worst. Our officers couldn't go in initially until we started to air out the house," said Mike Shumate, director of animal services.

The animals are being evaluated and the majority of the animals will be put up for adoption.

A county spokesperson released photos taken inside the home that appear to show piles of animal feces littering the floor.  The owner of the home, Patricia Abrezis, is being cited for animal cruelty due to the conditions inside.

Sydney Strobeck, the home's caretaker, is also being cited. Officials said Strobeck was the one who called for help Tuesday.

"I believe I did the right thing because the animals can't speak for themseleves you know," Strobeck said.

Strobeck told FOX13 News he and the homeowner didn't realize anything was wrong with caring for 87 animals until they recently became overwhelmed. He says since the animals belonged to Abrezis he plans on fighting the citation.