Officers entered the home of Anthony, age 60 and Rebecca, age 30 dEsantis of 6 Showell Pound Lane to seize the animals after receiving a complaint about alleged cruelty to animals.

The officers obtained a search warrant from Derry District Court and were accompanied by a veterinarian from the Pelham Animal Hospital and a representative of the SPCA.

The animals were found living in filth with animal waste everywhere.  They also found the carcasses of 2 snakes, 2 birds and a turtle.

Dr. Tamara V. Pikulik helped in the search and found the cats were all dehydrated, with several suffering from upper respiratory, conjunctivitis and ear infections from ear mites.  The cockatoo had been left in a cage with no food.  About 100 birds remain at the Desantis residence.

The Desantis were each charged with 9 counts of animal cruelty.  A trial date has been set for August 1st for Anthony Desantis.  No date has been set yet for Rebecca's case.

The Desantis ran Broadway Pets in Derry several years ago, but the store is closed.

Update 8/2/94:

Anthony Desantis, plead guilty in Derry District Court yesterday to 9 misdemeanor complaints of cruelty to animals.

His sentence was suspended in exchange for an agreement to pay restitution in the amount of $1,191, the cost of veterinary bills for treatment of the 9 cats seized.  Derry District Court Judge Warhall imposed a $100 fine for each offense, to be suspended upon payment of restitution.  Desantis was given until the end of the year to pay.

Court records indicate that Rebecca Desantis paid fines of $180 for each of the 9 offenses.

Reference:

The Union Leader