Three people were arrested after firefighters responding to a roof fire discovered 13 animals without food or water inside a Port Jefferson home, Suffolk County police said.
The Port Jefferson Fire Department and fire marshals responded to 3 Willis Ave. at about 9:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, after a nearby transformer malfunction caused a fire on the roof.
While at the home, firefighters observed several different species of animals without food or water and living in what police described as deplorable conditions.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team, known as BEAST, investigated and a search warrant was executed.
Police arrested Brian Burden, 50, and Nicole Ramunni, 44, both of the Willis Avenue residence, along with Timothy Burden, 55, of Stony Brook.
Each was charged with 13 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animals.
The three were issued desk appearance tickets and arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip.
The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
