President of Delaware Animal Rescue Charged With Animal Cruelty

The Division of Public Health's Office of Animal Welfare's (OAW) Delaware Animal Services (DAS) announced the arrest of a man after 98 animals, including 49 cats, 42 dogs, and seven small animals, were seized from a townhome in New Castle where the owner operated an animal rescue.

Mark Ptomey, age 39, of New Castle was arraigned at JP Court 11 on October 1 and released on $231 unsecured bail. Ptomey is the founder and president of Pets and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Inc., which he operated out of his residence. He is charged with 64 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, 72 dog housing violations, 27 dog licensing violations, and 68 rabies vaccination violations. Ptomey is prohibited from owning or possessing animals until the case is adjudicated.

On September 24, while conducting a joint investigation with New Castle County Code Enforcement, DAS executed a search warrant at the home where animals were found living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. A team of DAS animal welfare officers worked throughout the day to remove animals, transport them for care, and collect evidence.

Inside the residence, a strong ammonia odor from excessive animal waste filled the air. Pets were found in cramped, filthy conditions with crates stacked throughout the home among trash and clutter. Pet waste caked the floors, walls, and cages in the pest-infested residence. Outside, cages and kennels containing dogs and cats were found throughout the yard in various states of disrepair. Some animals lacked proper housing and shelter from the elements, while others were living in their own waste.

New Castle Code Enforcement condemned the home due to deplorable conditions.

Several pets were found in severely poor health and immediately rushed to veterinary care. One cat was found unresponsive and subsequently died while en route to the veterinary hospital. Two additional cats and one dog had to be euthanized due to their grave medical conditions.
"This individual betrayed the community and the animals that he claimed to protect," said Mark Tobin, Chief of DAS. "Instead of providing a sanctuary for vulnerable pets, they were subjected to horrible neglect. We will work to hold him accountable so he cannot harm animals again."

The animals are now in the care of Brandywine Valley SPCA, the state's contracted animal shelter, and receiving medical evaluation and treatment, proper nutrition, and safe housing. "We are asking the community to step up to help us help them by signing up as an emergency foster, adopting one of the animals already in our care, or making a donation toward the care of these nearly 100 survivors," said Adam Lamb, CEO of Brandywine Valley SPCA. This is an emergency situation, and we are doing everything we can, but it takes support from our community to make responses like this possible." Visit bvspca.org to learn more.

Reporting Animal Cruelty
If you are concerned about an animal's welfare and suspect cruelty or neglect, contact OAW's Delaware Animal Services immediately at 302-255-4646 or report online at animalservices.delaware.gov/report_violation/25.