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Brockport Home Hides Crocodile, Snakes, and More in Shocking Discovery

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/1 .. odile-snakes-and-more-in-shocking-discovery.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, February 17th 2026 at 8:03 GMT by WGME
      Locales: New York, UNITED STATES

BROCKPORT, N.Y. - A routine narcotics investigation in Brockport, New York, took a bizarre turn last week, unearthing a clandestine menagerie within the home of Richard J. Neri. Monroe County Sheriff's deputies, executing a search warrant on Wood Road on February 12th, discovered not drugs alone, but a sprawling, makeshift zoo housing a crocodile, 38 snakes, 19 lizards, a variety of dogs and cats, hedgehogs, turtles, and other exotic creatures. The sheer scale and unsanitary conditions of the animal collection have shocked local authorities and animal welfare organizations.

Richard J. Neri, 50, now faces a litany of charges including 13 counts of animal cruelty, two counts of drug possession, and one count of attempted manufacture of a controlled substance. He is currently being held at the Monroe County Jail awaiting arraignment. The initial drug investigation quickly became secondary to the welfare of the animals discovered within the property.

"The conditions were frankly appalling," stated a spokesperson for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. "This wasn't a case of someone simply having a few pets; this was a systematic accumulation of animals kept in conditions that were demonstrably harmful and neglectful. We're incredibly relieved we were able to intervene and initiate the process of rescuing these animals."

Animal Care Services is currently undertaking the enormous task of safely removing the animals from the property and finding appropriate rehoming solutions. The diversity of the collection presents a significant logistical challenge. Rescuing a crocodile, for example, requires specialized equipment and expertise, while the numerous snakes and lizards necessitate quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of potential diseases. The dogs, cats, and other more common domestic animals will require thorough veterinary examinations and behavioral assessments before they can be considered for adoption.

Experts believe Neri's behavior may stem from a complex set of underlying issues. While the drug charges suggest potential substance abuse, the accumulation of such a large and diverse animal collection could also indicate hoarding tendencies or a manifestation of mental health concerns. Animal hoarding is recognized as a form of mental disorder, often characterized by the inability to provide adequate care for a large number of animals. It's crucial to differentiate between a passionate animal lover and someone whose collecting crosses the line into neglect and cruelty.

The cost of caring for these rescued animals will likely fall on the local community and animal welfare organizations. Donations of food, bedding, and veterinary supplies are already being requested. Several local animal rescue groups have stepped forward to offer assistance, but the long-term care and rehabilitation of this many animals will require sustained funding and volunteer support.

This incident raises critical questions about animal welfare laws and the monitoring of individuals who accumulate large numbers of animals. While existing laws address animal cruelty and neglect, they often fall short in preventing situations like this from developing in the first place. Some animal welfare advocates are calling for increased proactive inspections and stricter regulations regarding the ownership of exotic and potentially dangerous animals. The crocodile, in particular, highlights the risks associated with private ownership of such creatures.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about Neri's activities or the conditions within the home to contact the Sheriff's Office at (585) 753-3509 or dial 911. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of Neri's actions and the length of time the animals were kept in these conditions. This shocking discovery serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable animals.