Police responded to a complaint of noisy chickens at the 14 acres home/farm of Morey, age 60, at 439 Lower Bay Rd.  They also found Morey's sheep in a field appearing dirty and unshorn for an estimated 3-4 years and were carrying around wool that nearly doubled their body weight.

Several loose roosters were found in the yard.  In the barn was found 5 goats, 1 donkey, 1 burrow, 6 geese, 3 rabbits and a potbellied pig standing in a "substantial buildup of hay and feces.  One of the donkeys, was sick with eye and hoof problems.

When Chief Mark Barton went to talk to Morey, he heard dogs barking from inside the house.  He asked to look around but the stench drove him back.  The SPCA of Penacook was called in along with Health Officer Bill Tobin.  15 dogs were found inside the home, 5 of which were "pug-cocapoo's" whose eyes weren't open yet, 3 very young kittens, 2 baby cats, 2 adults cats, 1 rabbit, 5 cockatiels and 1 parakeet.

Many of the cats were wild, and one SPCA worker was clawed and bitten while trying to capture them.  Most of the cats seized had upper respiratory disease, had never been vaccinated and were euthanized.  The SPCA staff believe that some of the kittens and the dogs will be available for adoption at some point.

The next day more SPCA workers arrived along with State Veterinarian Stephen Crawford who evaluated the large animals.  A local farmer agreed to take the donkey, the pig and the sheep as the town was not equipped to handle large animals.  Morey was allowed to keep 1 of her dogs, her favorite, named Molly, and a pigmy goat, the ducks & chicken as they can forage on their own.

Police Chief Barton state "our goal is to leave her with something she can take care of".  Barton believes Morey simply became overwhelmed by the animals.  Barton further stated, "now we are going to try and see what we can do to help her and help her get back on her feet.  Maybe she didn't know how to ask for help with her situation or maybe it was just her pride.  She was caught up in this and I don't think she knew how to deal with it."  Many of the animals were dropped off at her house because people felt she would take care of them.

None of the animals had any medical care in 2 years and none of the dogs were registered with the town.  Morey has been given 30 days to clean up her home and make it livable.

   (Photo courtesy of Daryl Carlson, The Laconia Citizen) - Dr. Crawford checks on the welfare of the farm animals)

  (Photo courtesy of Lori Duff, The Concord Monitor) The sheep being sheared by Jay Mariacher of Lee, NH

Update 10/18/07:

Morey has been charged with 4 counts of animal cruelty after forfeiting more than 3 dozen animals.  Morey could be fined as much as $1000 on each count if found guilty.

The 4 charges were brought based on the conditions of the 4 animals in the worst condition.  A burrow had to be euthanized because its feet and hooves were badly infected and it could not eat because its teeth were so bad it could not chew.  2 unshorn sheep and a pot-bellied pig were all in bad shape.

Rescuers stated many of the dogs and cats were were anemic from fleas and living in their own feces.

Update 12/14/07:

Morey was ordered to spend 100 hours volunteering at the SPCA in Penacook.  Morey plead not guilty to 3 Class B misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals and the complaints were placed on file without a finding on the conditions of good behavior for 2 years and completion of the community service to begin in April 2008.

Morey plead nolo contendere (no contest) to the 4th charge.  Judge Edward M. Gordon found her guilty and fined her $1000 suspended on the condition of good behavior for 1 years and completion of the community service.

A compliance hearing will be held at a later date to assure that Morey is complying with the court's orders.

Chief Barton stated although he had not recently stopped at Morey's home because she is now represented by Attorney Lori Ann Christmann of Wescott, Milliham & Dyer of Laconia, said, the last time he was there she was in the process of performing an extensive cleanup in an effort to improve her living conditions.

Reference:

The Citizen of Laconia

The Union Leader

The Concord Monitor