Dozens of dogs found in home

Local News

February 3, 2013

Dozens of dogs found in home

STAFF REPORTS Lockport Union-Sun & Journal The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Sun Feb 03, 2013, 02:41 AM EST

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — A Niagara County Sheriffs deputy and New York state trooper investigating a juvenile report Saturday found several dozen Pomeranian dogs living with three people in filthy conditions inside a home at 6603 South Royal Parkway.

According to sheriff’s reports, patrol was “unable to ignore the overwhelming odor of animal urine and feces” as they spoke with family members.

Ellouise Magrum, the homeowner, told patrol that there were “a few” dogs in the home. She added that she and a second female have their own bedroom and a male sleeps on the living room couch because a bedroom had been turned into a puppy nursery.

Town of Lockport Dog Warden Barry Kobrin was contacted, and Kobrin told officers that he had been trying to contact Magrum for the past month.

Officers looked inside the convertd bedroom and were overcome by a foul odor.

Upon further investigation, 60 Pomeranians were counted, including 35 of various ages in small pens and carriers inside the “nursery.” The other 25 dogs were found in two downstairs rooms, contained in small pens.

Kobrin requested the SPCA to respond. However, SPCA officials, after they arrived, said they do not have the capabilities to transport and house 60 dogs.

Kobrin told patrol that he will care for the dogs until Monday morning when the SPCA will return and remove all 60 dogs.

A Town of Lockport Building Inspector arrived and condemned the house until it is professionally cleaned and inspected by him.

Magrum, 50, was charged with two zoning ordinances, unlicensed dogs, excessive noise and harboring illegal dogs. She was arraigned before Town Justice Raymond E. Schilling, who released her until a Feb. 5 return court date.

Kobrin said that with the assistance of the SPCA he will most likely have additional charges for Magrum.

Due to the living conditions, patrol made a report with Child Protective Services. According to the report, a CPS representative said that they would send an agent out Monday to interview the family.

The house was secured by the building inspector with padlocks.

The family planned to stay at a family member’s house in the Woodland Trailer Park until further notice.