Police were first called to the home on Dec. 9 for an animal cruelty complaint. Upon entry, a criminal complaint states officers smelled a "strong and overpowering odor of animal feces and urine." McAdoo was arrested, and the house was searched over the course of Dec. 9 and Dec. 10.
In all, the complaint states MADACC seized 113 animals:
25 dogs
23 birds (chickens, ducks, parakeets, pigeons, a turkey, a macaw and others)
14 rats
8 hamsters
7 hedgehogs
6 lizards
6 rabbits
5 guinea pigs
4 cats
4 chinchillas
3 tortoises
2 alligators
2 snakes
1 goat
1 ferret
1 raccoon
Once in custody, the complaint states McAdoo told police in a Mirandized interview that he "takes dogs in for other people and finds them new homes," and that none of them belonged to him. He initially denied knowledge of the conditions that the dogs were kept in, but when shown photos "admitted things had gotten out of control."
"At least" eight dogs were living in "unsanitary" conditions, per the complaint. He tried to blame the conditions on three kids – ages 16, 17 and 18 – who "didn't clean up" but later claimed responsibility. When it came to veterinary care, he said he "does not take them to the vet, instead attempting to fix the issue himself."
In all, McAdoo is charged with two counts of mistreatment of animals and 10 counts of negligently providing improper animal shelter sanitation standards. The complaint states prosecutors have the right to add more counts for "any charges for which it believes is supported by probably cause."
McAdoo made his initial court appearance on Dec. 14, and the court issued a $3,000 signature bond. He is due back in court Dec. 30 for a preliminary hearing.
The complaint states "various reptiles" were housed in the attic and kept in aquarium tanks that "were not recently cleaned." None of the tanks had clean water and the temperature was 60 degrees – too cold for the species present. Some tanks did not have heat lamps. Soon after being seized from the home, but before it could receive medical care, a lizard died due to the conditions.
Two alligators were also in the attic, per the complaint. The reptiles – one 2 ½ feet long, the other 3 ½ feet long – were housed in a 60-gallon tank full of "filthy" water and "animal waste."
Another 60-gallon tank contained a two difference species of tortoise, the complaint states. The glass of the tank was "coated in feces" and there was no substrate in the tank, which is needed so the tortoises don't develop sores on their feet. A snapping turtle was kept in a 10-gallon tank with a "thin layer" of water that was "caked" with feces and not deep enough to drink or swim. The turtle had become deformed due to the conditions and was showing signs of metabolic bone disease.
The home is boarded up now, with a notice on the door from the city that the home is unfit to live in and cited unsanitary conditions.
Milwaukee police took a 46-year-old man into custody in connection to the case. The district attorney is reviewing potential charges.
There is no word yet on the man’s identity or how he collected all those different animals.
Over the weekend, 113 animals were rescued, including 25 dogs, 23 birds (chickens, ducks, parakeets, pigeons, a turkey, macaw and others), four cats, one goat, four chinchillas, one ferret, eight hamsters, six rabbits, seven hedgehogs, five guinea pigs, two alligators, six lizards, 14 rats, two snakes, three tortoises, and a raccoon.
Authorities described the home as "unkept" and unsuitable for animals.
One of the dogs found in the home, a French bulldog, was too ill to be cared for and had to be euthanized.
Police also say a reptile was found dead.
The home had an overpowering smell of animal feces and urine.
According to a criminal complaint, a chicken and raccoon also had to be euthanized upon intake at MADACC.
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