Thirteen animals were discovered in terrible conditions at a Port Jefferson home this week, and officials still have not said whether they are safe. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and the Suffolk County Police Department must confirm that every one of these animals has been removed, seen by a veterinarian and placed in licensed care. If the charges are proven, the people responsible should never be allowed to own animals again.

The animals were found almost by chance. Port Jefferson firefighters were dealing with a transformer problem nearby when they spotted animals of several kinds in poor shape on the property. Suffolk police then arrested three adults, who each face 13 counts of failing to give impounded animals food and water. All three were arraigned Tuesday.

"I never thought this would happen in my neighborhood," neighbor William Villatoro told reporters.

Yet authorities have not said whether a single animal was taken off the property. That silence matters. Animals that went without basic food and water need urgent medical care, not more days in the place where they suffered.

The firefighters who noticed something was wrong deserve real credit. Their quick report may be the only reason these animals were found at all. Now county officials need to finish the job: make sure all 13 animals are safe, pursue these charges fully, and ask the court to bar anyone convicted from owning animals in the future.

Sign the petition to demand that Suffolk County confirm these 13 animals are safe and seek a lifetime animal ownership ban if the charges are proven.