Man charged with 134 counts of animal cruelty

PASADENA, Md. - Shane Taylor, who told authorities that he is an aspiring veterinarian, was charged Thursday with 134 counts of animal cruelty about a month after dozens of animals were seized from his Pasadena home.

The 21-year-old had taken in dozens of animals into his home in the 8000 block of Lockwood Road, including alpacas, emus, sheep, goats, parroots, skunks and snakes. Authorities discovered a number of dead of malnourished animals, including a cow, a rabbit, a quail and a turtle. Taylor said he had planned to nurse them all back to health and find the animals permanent homes.

Taylor had worked two years as a veterinarian's assistant in Virginia, denied that he had mistreated any of the animals. Instead, he claimed that he was depressed and overwhelmed.

The animals were taken to Animal Control headquarters in Millersville. Some of them were subsequently taken to rescue facilities, where some of them continue to receive treatment.