posted November 08, 2009 11:55 AM         

Animal control officers unearthed a gruesome pet cemetery Saturday in the backyard of a Long Island woman who is suspected of torturing, killing and burying as many as 20 dogs and cats.

Some of the animals are thought to be pets belonging to Sharon McDonough's neighbors in Suffolk County, officials said.

As word spread on Awixa Place in Selden, neighbors began showing up with pictures of their missing animals.

"A couple of people have lost pets," said neighbor Angelo Zotto, 70. "They were up here today with pictures of their pets showing them to the SPCA, wondering if theirs had been found in the backyard."

McDonough, 43, was charged with animal cruelty.

"We have the allegation that she tortured, killed and buried them in her backyard," Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said. "It appears to be mostly dogs but we won't know for sure until a vet checks them out."

Investigators uncovered the cemetery with help from the cast of the National Geographic show, "Rescue Ink Unleased."

An anonymous tipster called the muscle-bound, motorcycle-riding cast and told them animals were being mistreated at McDonough's home.

When "Rescue Ink" cast members showed up at the house and discovered malnourished pets at the home, they called the SPCA, Gross said.

He said SPCA investigators found five gaunt dogs in small, cramped cages at the home.

The SPCA returned Saturday with a search warrant and began digging, unearthing bones from as many as 20 animals, Gross said

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/11/08/2009-11-08_pet_cemetery_horror_house_found_on_long_island.html#ixzz0WHuNaBT8