Andrea Rosebrock 
The count is up to 42 dead dogs and cats found buried on Sharon McDonough’s Seldon, NY property. Necropsies show evidence that some of the animals were tortured; duct tape around their mouths, signs of drowning.
District Judge Paul Hensley, in saying that, “There are indications this defendant did kill these animals. I believe the impulse to flee will become irresistible,” set McDonough’s bail at $100k after she was found competent to stand trail following a psychiatric evaluation.
ADA John Cortes has said that there is “the likelihood of a felony indictment” in relation to the gruesome backyard graveyard but McDonough has already been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty counts for the five live animal found in her home. All five pets; a shepherd mix, a beagle mix, an Italian greyhound, a cocker spaniel mix, a pug and a tabby cat were living in horrendous conditions in cages.
McDonough’s 6 minor children, daughters ranging in age from 18-months to 13-years, were previously removed from her custody.
James D’Angelo, McDonough’s defense attorney, was “shocked” by the ruling, “I don’t feel there was a significant change in circumstances. She’s made each and every court appearance. She’s presumed to be innocent. I am very disappointed with the judge’s decision today.”
On November 5, McDonough’s son, Douglas McDonough, 21, turned his mother in describing the home as “a concentration camp for the animals” and saying that he and his sisters had been present for some of the animal killings.
I’m relieved to see that a judge is finally taking an animal abuse case seriously enough to place a high bail on the abuser but it’s sad that it took 42 innocent, dead and tortured animals to come to this and five more, though alive, living in hell. I cannot even imagine the trauma those poor children will be dealing after living in that house and seeing the horrors they must have seen. What could possible make a person, if you can call McDonough a person, do something so vicious and cruel? Just lock her up and throw away the key!!
I am heartened to see the legal system give the attention this deserves. Those kids have been maimed for life, the animals horrendously treated, and the perpetrator needs to be held accountable forever.
I don’t know what to say…except this is beyond horrific. This woman should never be free again to do these things.
Finally a judge with some balls. Too many times these animals killers get away with it. It is encouraging to see a judge that understands that animals do matter. It is too bad that many other judges don’t follow his example.
The *likelihood* of a felony indictment?? I’d call charging her a felony a big, fat YES.
I just can’t believe how a person could do such horrible things to innocent animals. Why didn’t her kids do something sooner? I don’t want to blame it on how she was brought up because that’s no excuse! People learn right from wrong at an early age even it there’s no positive guidance from anyone around. This is really a very sad, demented, and unhealthy person. I can only imagine what her children have gone through. I hope she doesn’t get off with just probation like so many others. The judge better allow those kids to testify against her.
What a twisted piece of sh*t. She is one deeply disturbed monster. Hope she rots in a deep hole!!!
this bitch needs to fry forever.
This piece of shit should be locked in that house , then burn it down .It is hell
This is yet another example of how bad things have gotten for our innocent animals. Those poor kids will be ruined for life. Her son showed such courage and bravery for what he did. I hope there is a way we can all tell him how proud he has mae so many people a nd how much of a hero he truely is. We have to really get some program together to patrol our communities and yes, check up on people with animals. Rescue Ink is heavily involved in this case. They are completely outraged as all of us are. I know they are especially upset because Long Island is their home so this crap is going on basically in their own back yard.
I am praying for this evil witch to get life for what she did a d what she put her kids through making them participate on urting the innocent animals which they will never forget. Thank you GOD for this strong young man who stood up like a man and did such an incredibly brave thing. The Judge has to make her punishment the worst for the animals she tortured but for her son who so bravely came forward as well. This child must know that he did the right thing and for being so brave, his actions stopped his own mother from killing innocent animals and to show the world the courage of this young boy. He will be scarred for life also but he needs to know all he did brought justice to so many innocent animals. These kids today must see with their own eyes that speaking up and being brave is right to do and this very evil person is in a whole lot of trouble and will go to prison for life for her actions. Those kids must have been scared to death watching her do such aweful things to animals and making them participate. That is felony child abuse times 50 animals total that we know of. This judge has to come through for these kids. They can not ever think that coming forward isn’t worth it or doesn’t matter. Thier mental health depends on this verdict!!!!! It isn’t much but it may be the only thing that will save their minds and ease their pain of not being able to stop her.
Well this stupid Bitch needs the same torture done to her, that she felt was alright to do to those poor innocent animals. My thanks to the son for doing something about it. No one would probly listen before.Thank God that there is a judge that has a back bone. That attorney needs his head examined. Wanting this thing back out on the street. Knowing she’s guilty as sin. What, the number of dead isn’t enough. He wants her out so she can kill again.
Finally a Judge that is taking this seriously. As for her kids, she should never be allowed to be near them again. They will need serious counseling. It is just too bad that her son didn’t come forward a lot sooner and maybe some of these precious fur babies could have been spared. What makes people sick in the head like this is beyond me. I hope she gets serious prison time and fines so outrageous that she can’t make it in life. Perhaps if this happens and as sick as she is, she just make take her own life. One can only pray for that to happen. She should never be allowed near another animal again either. Those poor innocent babies died because of this sick POS and I hope it turns back on her.
I’ll tell you what’s going to happen to those kids. They will grow up doing the same thing without psychiatric help. I am dealing with a case right now of teen boys who tortured and killed a dog. They grew up watching their mother physically abuse their dad and they are now doing it to animals. The cycle repeats.
I’m so grateful this judge took this seriously. Her lawyer’s reaction is beyond ridiculous.
Her son deserves a medal for what he did. He did the exact right thing in calling at all, but even better by calling Rescue Ink. Those guys took it seriously, as they always do, where the local Humane Society would probaby have just written it off as some dumb kid getting even with his mother. It sickens me that the Long Island Humane Society is bickering with Rescue Ink and trying to take all of the credit, throwing verbal rocks at “our boys” by saying they just wanted face time on the camera. As their recent email said, they are “in your face” no matter if the cameras are rolling or not.
Who knows how many more animals might be buried out in that yard that will never be found. I hope they can determine if any were the neighbors’ missing animals. While it will be excrutiatingly painful for them, at least they will have closure. They deserve that much.
This woman is evil personified. Only a monster does this kind of sick thing and also makes her children participate. Thank goodness those few dogs that were there were saved before they endured a similar fate. I hope those children can get the counseling they need, so they don’t end up like their mother.
It seems I just cry every day over the horrors going on with our precious animals around the globe. In Romania, dogs are “euthanized” by way of bashing their skulls in with an iron rod. Street dogs are poisoned, burned, shot, you name the horror. The same in Greece and Italy. BSL murdering thousands of innocents. Individual monsters doing unspeakable things. It truly tears at the very fabric of my heart.
WAY TO GO, Douglas…..u done good. sad that u had 2 turn u’r own mother in….but she’s NOT a good person!!! i’m SO SORRY that u n u’r sisters “were there” for these horrors n i pray that u’ll all grow from this. what u did took a LOT of courage!
Judge Paul Hensley….u’re an awesome dude. 1 that we need MORE like him.
May she rot n “The Island” and fed to the sharks!
Gee Jessie are we related LOL. Bravo for the judge
Yes Excalibur….we are all related because of our strong love and devotion to animals.
I have to agree with Tracey, Christine and others – a judge with balls!!!!!! WHo even knew they existed???? This woman is (can’t think of a good word) and should die! Let’s duct tape her mouth shut and let her wallow in her own poops for a while – then bury her – for good.
Kudo’s to the son – turning a mom in had to be hard – but what an awesome man and to the Judge – and may her atty rot in hell right along side of her.