Bad smell and dead dogs lead police to a horrific case of animal cruelty in Queens

QUEENS, NY — A Queens woman has been charged in an 88-count indictment with severely neglecting more than 20 dogs and cats in a dilapidated Jackson Heights home, resulting in the deaths of three cats. Elizabeth Grant, 56, is accused of aggravated animal cruelty, criminal contempt and other offenses, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced.

“Pets are not collectibles. They need care, adequate food and water, and a clean habitat,” District Attorney Katz said. “Three animals died as a result of the defendant's alleged negligence, and the others suffered from disease and other ailments.”

The charges stem from a search of Grant's 82nd Street home on May 21, 2024, when police found the animals alive in deplorable conditions.

The apartment reeked of ammonia, and the furniture and floors were covered in feces, urine, and fur. NYPD and ASPCA teams, who needed to wear respirators because of the strong smell, found 26 dogs and 12 cats, as well as three dead cats. The rescued animals were in varying states of distress, some were severely underweight, dehydrated, and suffering from untreated illnesses.

Stacy Wolf, senior vice president of ASPCA Policy, Response & Engagement, emphasized the seriousness of the case, pointing out the significant strain on local resources and the suffering caused. The rescued animals have since received medical and behavioral care at the ASPCA's Animal Recovery Center in Manhattan, and many have been placed in new homes.

The criminal contempt charge against Grant stems from her alleged violation of a court order prohibiting her from owning or caring for animals until April 30, 2028. If convicted, she faces up to two years in prison.

Grant was arraigned before Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino, who set her next court date for September 27, 2024. The investigation was conducted by officers from the NYPD's 115th Precinct.

Bad smell and dead dogs lead police to a horrific case of animal cruelty in Queens

QUEENS, NY — A Queens woman has been charged in an 88-count indictment with severely neglecting more than 20 dogs and cats in a dilapidated Jackson Heights home, resulting in the deaths of three cats. Elizabeth Grant, 56, is accused of aggravated animal cruelty, criminal contempt and other offenses, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced.

“Pets are not collectibles. They need care, adequate food and water, and a clean habitat,” District Attorney Katz said. “Three animals died as a result of the defendant's alleged negligence, and the others suffered from disease and other ailments.”

The charges stem from a search of Grant's 82nd Street home on May 21, 2024, when police found the animals alive in deplorable conditions.

The apartment reeked of ammonia, and the furniture and floors were covered in feces, urine, and fur. NYPD and ASPCA teams, who needed to wear respirators because of the strong smell, found 26 dogs and 12 cats, as well as three dead cats. The rescued animals were in varying states of distress, some were severely underweight, dehydrated, and suffering from untreated illnesses.

Stacy Wolf, senior vice president of ASPCA Policy, Response & Engagement, emphasized the seriousness of the case, pointing out the significant strain on local resources and the suffering caused. The rescued animals have since received medical and behavioral care at the ASPCA's Animal Recovery Center in Manhattan, and many have been placed in new homes.

The criminal contempt charge against Grant stems from her alleged violation of a court order prohibiting her from owning or caring for animals until April 30, 2028. If convicted, she faces up to two years in prison.

Grant was arraigned before Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino, who set her next court date for September 27, 2024. The investigation was conducted by officers from the NYPD's 115th Precinct.
Another child robbed at knifepoint in a New York subway station

BRONX, NY — A 16-year-old boy was robbed at knifepoint by three unknown assailants at Zerega Avenue subway station on Thursday afternoon, police reported.

Although authorities boast that crime has decreased across the city, New York's subway system is still dangerous.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:25 p.m. on the southbound platform of Line 6. The three suspects approached the teenager and demanded his belongings before forcibly taking them. When the victim attempted to retrieve his belongings, one of the suspects displayed a knife, according to police.

The perpetrators then fled the scene on foot. The victim suffered minor injuries but did not need to be taken to hospital.

Police are looking for three male suspects, all described as between 18 and 20 years old. The first suspect was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black sneakers. The second suspect, who displayed the knife, was wearing a black hat, a gray Nike hoodie, gray pants, gray sneakers and a black shoulder bag. The third suspect was last seen wearing a black hat, a white t-shirt, light-colored shorts and black sneakers.

The New York Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward.
New Jersey Transit offers free rides – but no thanks! I’ll forego the potential fights

NEWARK, NJ – Ah, New Jersey Transit. The sometimes reliable, always “eventful” transportation option we've all reluctantly embraced at some point. Just when you think your relationship with NJ Transit is at its weirdest – cue Governor Phil Murphy, who has a free Transit Holidays – a video emerges to remind us why bus and train journeys in Jersey are often a sanity gamble.

So let's analyze this latest wild ride.

A typical day on a NJ Transit bus turns into a real-life WWE SmackDown. Picture this: A bus driver, already on the verge of “having had enough,” freaks out when a passenger apparently asks for Bring things outside for a bit of rumble on the side of the road.

(So who does that anyway? The world is your arena, but maybe not The Bus, man.)

The bus driver, who is apparently no stranger to drama, decides to tackle this challenge head-on, but first he sends everyone else off. “Everyone get off my bus!” Imagine being told to evacuate like you’re in the middle of an emergency drill, only for the driver to get handsy with a guy. And you’re standing on the curb with popcorn in hand, wondering how on earth your morning commute is going to turn into an episode of Jerry Springer.

Once a woman had to walk to the exit with her small baby in her arms to get out of the way.

As the bus is abandoned by innocent bystanders (safety first, right?), driver and passenger collide. The driver, clearly fed up with the nonsense, lashes out at the guy, puts him in a chokehold and delivers a series of punches. It's like every commuter's worst nightmare – or secret vice – comes true in real life.

I mean, we all have Thought about telling the person who is taking two seats what we think, but this? That's stress management on a whole new level.

NJ Transit is doing its best to sweep this little “incident” under the rug, but let’s be honest: Free rides sound like a great deal until you remember that you might have to dodge a fight to get from point A to point B.