A kitchen fire at a Westbury home led to the rescue of 66 neglected chickens after firefighters and police discovered the animals living in what authorities described as deplorable conditions.
East Meadow firefighters responded to the home on Mist Lane at about 10:09 a.m. on July 28 after receiving reports that the rear of the house was on fire. First Assistant Chief Jeffrey Rosenthal arrived within minutes and transmitted a Signal 98, prompting firefighters to establish a water supply and begin fire operations.
Firefighters encountered an exterior fire that had extended into the second floor of the home. Crews from Engines 1, 2, 3 and 4, Ladders 1 and 2, and Rescue 5 quickly deployed hose lines inside and outside the house, containing the blaze to portions of the first and second floors. The fire was extinguished within about 20 minutes, and no injuries were reported.
While investigating the property, Nassau County police officers found several crates containing dozens of chickens in the backyard, prompting a response from the Nassau County SPCA, Humane Long Island, the Nassau County Fire Marshal, the Nassau County Arson Bomb Squad and animal control officials.
Humane Long Island said its rescue team removed 66 birds from the property, including six adult chickens and 60 still-peeping juvenile chicks. According to the organization, many of the birds were suffering from severe emaciation, dehydration and alopecia, or feather loss, after being kept in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.
The organization also reported finding charred animal bones on the property.
The rescued birds were transported to Humane Long Island's shelter, where they are receiving veterinary treatment, nutritious food, clean housing, warmth and around-the-clock monitoring as they recover.
Police arrested homeowner Victor Xu, 44, without incident. He was charged with 66 counts of torturing or injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance. Xu was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear Aug. 10 in First District Court in Hempstead.
Humane Long Island is asking the public to help support the birds' recovery by donating chicken feed, straw, clean towels and wee-wee pads or by making financial contributions toward their care.
Once veterinarians determine the birds are healthy enough, the organization said they will be placed for adoption into companion-only homes. Prospective adopters must live in municipalities where chickens are permitted and provide secure, predator-proof and weatherproof housing.
Humane Long Island said the case underscores the importance of reporting suspected animal neglect and credited the coordinated efforts of firefighters, police officers and animal welfare agencies with saving the birds.
