162 animals seized from Plymouth home

DEDHAM, Mass. (WHDH) -- Police said more than 150 animals living in a Plymouth home were victims of animal cruelty and neglect, but the owners disagree and said they are the victims in this incident.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston is caring for the 162 animals, including three dozen rabbits, 33 ducks and dozens of pheasants.

“Jesse misses being with his animals and stuff because he -- they robbed his bulldog,” said Mark Luciano.

Mark Luciano denies claims that he and his mother, 77-year-old Evelyn Luciano, illegally collected what police call a menagerie, including some that are seriously ill and neglected. The family said they used the animals for food.

“They were very mean. They took all of our animals. That was our food to live on. They shouldn’t have took it,” said Evelyn Luciano.

Plymouth police raided the property in late June after neighbors complained of the smell and crying animal sounds.

Court documents, including a search warrant, indicate police found ducks cannibalizing one another. There were numerous pheasants inside the house and outside there was a young calf, goats, turkeys and chickens.

“The potable water was just non-existent -- the animals were drinking out of the same water as the ducks were…swimming in and obviously, it was basically like a fecal pool,” said an official.

Police charged the suspects with animal cruelty and endangering a child, 3-year-old Jesse. State social workers are investigating.

“I’m very concerned [that they’re going to take Jesse] because this is my whole world right here,” said Mark Luciano.

The family was arrested earlier this week. They were summons to court, but did not show up. The police are continuing with their prosecution.