A Massapequa man accused of torturing animals and committing identity theft was arrested Saturday morning by Nassau County police.
Police say they arrested 53-year-old Eliakim Ishchayil after he attempted to transfer a residence deed owned by a 60-year-old female victim to his own name.
Police also learned that his children, a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old, were in his Clocks Boulevard apartment with five dogs.
Officers found the children living in deplorable and unsanitary conditions upon arrival at the scene. Police contacted Child Protective Services and transported the children to a hospital for evaluation. They were then temporarily released into foster care.
Police located the dogs locked in crates that were covered in urine and feces in Ishchayil’s backyard. Police say two of the dogs were unlicensed and four were emaciated.
The animals were rushed to Oyster Bay Animal Shelter for emergency medical treatment, according to police.
Authorities say Ishchayil faces multiple charges including criminal possession of a forged instrument, two counts of identity theft and five counts of torturing or injuring animals.
Police say he required medical attention and will be arraigned when medically practical.