News 12 Exclusive: Wildlife rehab license holder accused of animal hoarding, raising oversight concerns
Photos shared with News 12 show cramped and unsanitary conditions at the Northport home where the animals were found. Among them were rabbits, ducks, and other wildlife now recovering in rescue centers across Long Island.
Top Stories
More than 200 animals — both wild and domestic — were removed from a Suffolk County home last week after authorities say they found a disturbing case of hoarding.
The resident, 57-year-old Samantha Boyd, has been charged with animal cruelty. But what’s raised alarm among experts is the fact that Boyd is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, certified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Photos shared with News 12 show cramped and unsanitary conditions at the Northport home where the animals were found. Among them were rabbits, ducks, and other wildlife now recovering in rescue centers across Long Island.
“There’s basically no oversight and no training for wildlife rehabilitators,” said John Di Leonardo of Humane Long Island. He believes the incident highlights a deeper problem — what he calls dangerously lax requirements to obtain a wildlife rehabilitation license in New York.
According to Di Leonardo, the DEC does not require home inspections, letters of recommendation, or mentorship hours before issuing a license. Applicants are only required to pass an open-book online test before they are allowed to house and care for wild animals.
“You just get a piece of paper once you pass,” he said. “Then you can start taking in wildlife.”
A spokesperson for the DEC confirmed that regular inspections are not part of the licensing process but said inspections can be conducted if concerns arise. However, when asked if Boyd’s home had ever been inspected, the DEC said there was no record of any prior enforcement actions against her license before the raid on Oct. 1.
Despite the charges, Boyd’s wildlife rehabilitation license remains active and is not set to expire until December 2028.
