A Westbury man is facing 66 animal cruelty counts after officers responding to a house fire found multiple chickens being kept in crates behind the residence, Nassau County police said.
Officers responded to 67 Mist Lane at about 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, after receiving a report of a residential fire. They arrived to find an active kitchen fire, according to police.
The East Meadow Fire Department responded and extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported.
During the investigation, officers found several crates containing multiple chickens in the backyard, police said. The Humane Society was notified, and the chickens were safely removed.
The Nassau County Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad, Nassau County Fire Marshal and Nassau County SPCA also responded to the property.
Police arrested Victor Xu, 44, of the Mist Lane residence without incident.
Xu was charged with 66 counts of torturing or injuring animals or failing to provide sustenance. He was issued an appearance ticket directing him to appear Monday, Aug. 10, at First District Court in Hempstead.
Photo: Area where incident took place/Google Maps.
