Nearly 200 animals seized from home during eviction

PITTSBURGH — Animal Control officers seized nearly 200 animals from a home in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood.

Pittsburgh police said the animals were discovered when sheriff’s deputies tried to evict Barbra Yogmas and her family from their Bay Ridge Street home.

“It’s no one’s fault but ours,” Yogmas said to Channel 11. “My mom never let me put anything in my name, and so here we stand.”

Yogmas told police her mother was an animal hoarder. They had 148 birds, 14 ferrets, 10 cats, seven dogs, one turtle, two geckos and a bearded dragon.

“I got overcome with everything,” Yogmas said. “I ain’t just this.”

Neighbors said they heard dogs in the home but didn’t suspect there were so many animals living inside.

“I’m just really shocked,” a neighbor said. “I feel really bad for them.”

Yogmas and her mother will face animal cruelty charges.

Yogmas’ 12-year -old son was taken to the hospital to be medically evaluated.

Over 150 of the animals seized from the home were taken to the Animal Rescue League and Western PA Humane Society. The shelters are asking for donations to help cover the costs of caring for them.

"This could be the largest animal intake in the history of both shelters, said Dan Rossi, CEO for Animal Rescue League and Western PA Humane Society. "Our merging only makes a situation like this easier to handle. We will take care of these animals in the best way possible. I hope this sends a message to others worried about animal hoarding situations to report it before an animal's welfare is of concern."

Cox Media Group