David Skeberdis, 57, checks a cage of birds he removed from his house in Aurora. Officials estimated there are 300 birds inside his home, which has been declared a nuisance due to high mold levels from the bird feces and piles of trash inside. (Credit: CBS)
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AURORA, Ill. (CBS) – The 57-year-old Aurora animal hoarder whose townhome was found to have more than 350 live birds has been charged with a misdemeanor offense.
David Skeberdis, of the 200 block of Shadybrook Lane, was served Monday with a notice to appear Dec. 4 in court to face a single charge of “companion animal hoarding,” Aurora spokesman Dan Ferrelli said in a news release issued Tuesday.
The Class-B misdemeanor carries a potential jail sentence of up to six months and $1,500 in fines. Skeberdis could also be barred from possessing animals in the future.
Aurora police and city inspectors launched an investigation at the Skeberdis home on Oct. 17, after an exterior painting contractor working on his home saw numerous dead birds and dozens of live birds flying inside the home. The city condemned the home and on Oct. 26 sent hired crews in hazmat suits to clear the residence; 120 dead birds were removed, in addition to 359 live birds.
Skeberdis and his attorney are resisting efforts by the city to re-inspect the property, Ferrelli said.
Skeberdis has conceded he had a bird-keeping compulsion that got out of hand. He said he is receiving social services from DuPage County as part of the government response to his hoarding.
