York Town News
Dog mess makes house unlivable
By Melissa Wood
This house is assessed at over $300,000, but can't be lived in until the owners clean it and repair the water supply as it was deemed unlivable last week by the Code Enforcement Office after police found three dogs there in unsanitary conditions.
Photo by Melissa Wood
YORK - Last week the Code Enforcement Office declared a house on Greenacre Drive "unfit for human habitation" after police found three dogs that had been left inside the house while it was not being lived in.
Although the dogs were found with food, were well-fed and were being cared for, the conditions inside the house were terrible, according to York Animal Control Officer Thomas Porter.
"There were dog feces all over the place," he said, as well as urine, creating an unbearable stench. "It was terrible to say the least."
The owners of the three-bedroom, two-story colonial-style home, which is currently assessed at $300,900, are listed on the town's property assessment database as Anthony and Sandra Roselli.
According to town records, the house was built in 1997, the same year the Rosellis bought the property for $150,000. The house is located in a subdivision behind a car dealership on Route 1.
Porter said the Rosellis' son had been taking care of the animals, but went away for two weeks and paid someone else to watch them, according to police.
The issue came to light when local firefighters were dispatched to the house after its water pipes burst, triggering an automatic fire alarm activation. Porter said the furnace was apparently broken and the house was being heated by electrical space heaters.
When Porter and Officer Jamie Rooney visited the property on March 8, they were able to capture one of the dogs, a miniature Doberman pinscher, and bring it to Creature Comforts, an animal shelter in Kittery.
Two other small dogs, whose breeds are not known, were not captured by police but were subsequently removed by the owners. All three animals are now believed to be with Sandra Roselli. No charged are being filed in connection with the case.
According to Code Enforcement Officer Tim DeCoteau, even though the house is structurally sound, the owners will need to repair the water system and clean the premises before it can be lived in again. He said the Rosellis' son has assured his office that the building is being cleaned up.
"It's our understanding that it's being taken care of," said DeCoteau, who noted the town would need to inspect the property again before it can be declared fit for habitation.
Porter said situations such as the house on Greenacre Drive are scenes not commonly occurring in York, but still not unheard of. He said he was aware of a case where the town had to have one such house torn down about 10 years ago because animal feces covered the floor, ankle deep.
"You just run into a real weird case every once in a while," said Porter.
The Rosellis were not listed in the phone book and could not be reached for comment.
