Authorities remove 129 dogs from Fairfield home

FAIRFIELD, Conn. --Animal control officers from several towns removed 129 dogs that were living in filth and stench at the home of a woman who was charged with animal cruelty, police said.

Police obtained a search warrant for the home of Robbin D'Urso and found cage after cage with multiple dogs inside, police told WTNH-TV.

"Other cages had numerous puppies living in their own feces," said Fairfield police Lt. Dan Gombos.

Fourteen dogs were rushed to a veterinarian clinic for immediate medical care, police said.

D'Urso, who runs an animal rescue group, was charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty. She was released on a promise to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Aug. 8.

Neighbors complained 46 times about the noise and smell coming from D'Urso's house. But police said they were not allowed into the house before getting the warrant, so they could not determine whether conditions were bad.

Neighbor Jeff Wargo said the conditions were bothersome.

"Keeping you awake, you can't open the windows in the house. I think any normal person would complain," he said.

D'Urso is the president of Companions for Life, according to state records. The organization describes itself on its Web site as a nonprofit animal rescue group that provides foster and veterinarian care.

Martin Lopow of Companions for Life said there may have been some crowding at D'Urso's house, but the conditions were within kennel standards.

"I just want to make absolutely clear that Mrs. D'Urso is a very responsible, caring individual as far as animal welfare is concerned," Lopow said.

D'Urso could not be reached for comment. There was no phone listing for her.