Gates, N.Y. — The Town of Gates recently filed a petition with the New York State Supreme Court seeking to demolish the home from which more than 200 cats were recovered last year, citing significant damage and health risks.A petition submitted to the New York State Supreme Court by the Town of Gates details the findings of an inspector who visited the Courtright Lane home in December of 2023: missing drywall, no electrical service, significant mold growth, dampness, and wood decay...
"We had a structural engineer go through the whole house," said Giunta, "He determined that the house is unsafe in their opinion the best thing to do was demolish it." Testimony from one neighbor in the town's petition details the account of another neighbor, who said: "Fly infestation became so concentrated that she and her neighbors had to daily change their fly traps in an effort to control the fly invasion in and upon their properties."
"We were trying to work with the resident all this time. He was adamant that he would get the house sold. There was no progress being made," said Giunta. "It’s not that I want to take anything away. But I do have to think about the residents in the area who have endured this for years and feel like no one has listened to them."